THE COMMONWEALTH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16922, 30 July 1915, Page 8

THE COMMONWEALTH.

STORIES DENIED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. MELBOURNE, July 29. Headquarters in Egypt denies the reports that any Australian officer of German parentage was caught sniping other Australian officers. It also denies that Australian soldiers were arrested on suspicion of being spies while the troops were at Cairo.

WAR LOAN BILL. MELBOURNE, July 29. The Seriate passed the £6,500,000 War Loan BJI. Senator Ready asked whether, in view of rejected volunteers being taunted with vho white feather, particularly by women, Senator Pearce would consider giving them a badge. Senator Pearce replied that rejected volunteers were given a certificate, but it would be inadvisable to issue a badge, as there was no guarantee that it would lemain in possession of the proper person. Mr Fisher will deliver his Financial Statement and introduce measures for war taxation next week. t CONTROL OF METALS. STATEMENT BY ZINC COMPANY. MELBOURNE, July 29. The Amalgamated Zinc Company, replying to Mr Hughes’s statements regarding German influence in the metal trade, says that at the outbreak of the war it had a contract with the Australian Metal Company for all its concentrates for a number of years. This was suspended and ignored, the Zinc Company declining absolutely to communicate with the Australian Metal Company. Referring to sales to America it points out that the general manager visited America with strict instructions not to negotiate with any American firm with a German taint. Large orders had been secured which Mr Hughes approved. Ii adds that investigations are proceeding as to. the possibility of the company treating concentrates in Australia. LIVERPOOL CAMP. THE INQUIRY. (Received July 29, 11.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 29. At the Liverpool camp inquiry Colonel Featherstoae, Director-General of Medical Services, stated that having examined a number of camps, he considered Liverpool the best lie had seen. Mr Orchard’s counsel exhaustively analysed the evidence. He said that the Department was hamstrung by red tape. The officers were so wrapped up in swaddling clothes of red tape that they were afraid to move till they got authority.

ALLEGED VICTIMISATION. (Received July 30, 1.25 a.m.) SYDNEY. July 29

Private Harrison, a. recent witness at the camp inquiry, appeared before Mr Justice Rich and complained of victimisation since giving evidence. He alleged that ho was unable even to leave work to get a drink of waterwithout risking arrest. He appealed' to Mr Justice Rich for leave of absence until the transport sailed. Victimisation was denied. but Mr Justice- Rich recommended that Harrison should be given leave until the transport sailed. If ho found _an authenticated caso of victimisation he would deal w'th the offender in the strongest possible manner. It was monstrous if were dv»lt with by tho authorities.

AUSTRALIA DAY. SYDNEY, July 29. Lavish preparations have been made for Australia Day to-morrow. Officials predict that subscriptions will total half a. million.

i WAR PRECAUTIONS. I MELBOURNE, July 29. '■ Under the War Precautions Act a .new order has been issued providing that no enemy subject or naturalised subject of enemy origin shall after August, assume or continue to uso any name other than that by which ho was ordinarily known prior to the war. The order also applies to firms and companies. A woman who has married an enemy or naturalised' enemy subject, however, is not required to alter the name she thus acquired. PENSIONS. MELBOURNE, July 29. The War Pensions Amending Bill, introduced in the House, provides for the inclusion of members of medical corps and nursing staffs. The Pensions Board is displaced by a Commissioner of Pensions and a deputy-commissioner for each State. The main Act provided that remarriage voided widow?.' pensions. This provision is extended to all female dependent*. LIMITATION OF RACING. (Received Julv 29, 9.50 p.m.) MELBOURNE, July 29. Air Murray, in refusing a request to cancel the license of the Ascot, racecourse, said that after the war the whole question of racing would be reviewed. Parliament would have to place a strict limit on racing in the interests of the country. He foreshadowed the abolition of proprietary clubs. AN INQUIRY PROMISED. MELBOURNE, July 29. In tho Federal House Air Fisher promised a merciless inquiry into the allegations that undue 'influence was used to induce nurses going to the front to buv uniforms from certain firms at high prices. He agreed that the Government should provide the whole equipment for war. Jt was hard \ to find n single instance where they went to tho market for war necessities free from the gravost apprehension that they would not get a fair deal. Such suspicions were unfair to honest dealers.

THE CALL FOR MEN. VACANCIFS IN MOUNTED SECTION. Tho local defence officers have a few vacancies for mounted men in the Eiehth and will be pleased to receive applications. THE FIFTH CONTINGENT. MAUNGANUT ARRIVES AT DESTINATION. [Pen Pt»Fßki A ssnrMTTON.I WELLINGTON, July 29. Word has been received that the Maunganoi. one of the transports taking the sth Reinforcements, has arrived at its destination. Tho other sh : ps had called at an Indian port to disembark horses there, and probably have not arrived in Egypt yet.

THE OTAGO BATTALION. PRAISE FROM GENERAL GODLEY. [From Our Correspondent.] DUNEDIN, July 29. General Goclley, writing to Mr Downie Stewart, M.P., under date May 24, says:— A lino to let you know that tho Otago Battalion has parwulanv distinguished itself since we landed on this peninsula. Dur.ng the lirst three days, April 25 to 27, it came m for a great deal of very hard fighting. Then on the night of May 2-3 it waa the foremost battalion of the New Zealand Infantry Brigade in a sortie which we had to make. The attack which it was called to perform was a very difficult one, and called for great courage and resolution on the part of all units. The battilion responded splendidly to .the call upon it and advanced in the face of very heavy rifle and machine gun fire, much of it enfilade, and suffering very heavy casualties. On arriving at the point where they had to dig themselves in tho officers and some of the non-com.’s were particularly noticeable for their coolness and bravery in setting their trenches and making all the necessary arrangements under very heavy fire. Colonel Moore and Major Moir, his second in command, led the battalion most gallantly, and I have had great pleasure in reporting specially on the gallantry of the following of the battalion: — Major Turnbull. Captain Smith, Lieutenant Nisbet, Lieutenant Cowan and Sergeant-Major Porteous. “Since then tho New Zealand Infantry Brigade went ,south to assist the troops there in another attack, whore again tho battalion did very well. T am sorry to say the casualties have been very high, and the present strength of the ' battalion is only eighteen officers and 60ti other rank-/’ TRAINING CAMPS. FARMERS’ UNION SUGGESTION. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON. July 29. The Farmers’ Union to-day adopted a resolution that the Defence Minister should be urged to consider the advisability of establishing permanent training camps, where men may attend at any time of the year for training. NEW ZEALAND NURSES. THE CONTINGENT FOR EGYPT. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 28. According to advice received, the thirty-one nurses who left New Zealand on May 21 arrived at Alexandria with the stationary hospital on July 1. Advice has just been received that tho sixty-nine who went by tho hospital ship Maheno, anti for whom arrangements had been made for transport from Port Said to England, are to be disembarked for duty for British military hospitalu in Egvpt in con.se?uenco of urgent demands from there or nurses. With the fifty nurses originally sent, and twelve who went with the Australian nurses, there will thus he one hundred and sixtv-two New Zealand nurses on duty in Egy'pt.

GIFT AEROPLANES. OVERSEAS CLUB PROJECT. Mr E. Wrench, honorary secretary and organiser of the Overseas Club, has written to the Mayor stating that the Central Committee of the club has a scheme to provide an Imperial aircraft flotilla, authorise'! by the Army Council. Five aeroplanes have been present-

od and it is hoped ultimately to provide an aeroplane from every section of the Empire. Every district which provides £IOO can hare an aeroplane named after it- The first unit> t for the front on Empire Day His hoped to keep a regular supply of further aeroplanes. The Governor of Hong Ivon" has cabled the sum of £4ooo to par for two gun-mounted 100 horse-power aeroplanes It lias been decided to keep the scheme open during tho war.

ASSISTING THE EMPIRE.

FARMERS’ RESOLUTION. [Pzr Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 29. The conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union resolved: —“That we. representing the farmers of the Dominion, now assembled, and within a few days of the anniversary of the declaration of war, with a full sense of responsibility, do eat*n hereby doc. are our fixed determination to steadfastly do all in our power to assist the nation in carrying on the war unt-1 such time as the ruthless power of our enemies has been broken, and full restoration of territory and compensation for injury havo been ensured to those of our Allies who have been so grievously wronged.”

AMERICA HOT PRO-GERMAN VERY SYMPATHETIC WITH ALLIES. CHRISTCHURCH RESIDENTS IMPR ESSiONS. Mr G. L. Bradley, who recently returned to Christchurch irotn a visit to America, states that if any New Zealanders still think that country is antagonistic to the Allies, they do it' a distinct injustice. Wnerever he went, Mr Bradley found a pronounced feeling in favour of the Allies, and deep sympathy with Britain. It is recognised in the L tilted States now, he said in on interview yesterday, that the Americans can lie.p the Allies most effectively by keeping out of the actual struggle, rnd bv eout.nuing to supply them with the goods they require. New Zealand s part in the war has attracted the attention of many Americans, who are acquainted with the fact that this l ominion was the first country in the British Empire to establish a complete system of military training. This, together with the gift of the Dreadnought, has fired tlio imagination of the people in the States, and they look upon Sir Joseph Ward as one of the ablest and most far-seeuig of all the colonial statesmen. On one occasion an American citizen who, evidently, has studied New Zealand s modern history, stated that Sir Joseph Ward, by introducing bis defence scheme and offering the Dreadnought, had shown more insight into the trend of affairs and a deeper perception of what might happen than was shown by any prominent public man in the United Kingdom, wnh the exception of Lord Roberts and a few others. In one of the American cities, Mr Bradlev was interviewed by a reporter, to whom he told the story ot the litt.e boy who gave bis pet lamb to be sc. Id at. the Addington yards for the car funds. The newspaper next day appeared with an intervjew headed with a description of the incident, and it had the effect of inducing an American boy to sell his toys in order to obtain Christmas presents for Belgian children. TRENCH AFTER TRENCH. EXCITING EXPERIENCES IN FRANCE. EX-BURNHAM DRILL INSTRUCTOR’S STORY. Sergeant H. C. Ford, formerly drill instructor at Burnham, was wounded but returned to the firing lino in France, and was wounded again and sent to the Royal Herbert Hospital at Woolwich, from which place he describes some of his experiences in tne following graphic words: — “ At 6 a.m. we had to go forward. The officers and 1 got up over the parapet of our treueu and called the men, and away we went for about ltit> yards. We then laid down and had a rest. Lost two men. We were mot by ride fire, Maxims, shrapnel, lyddite, high explosives, ' Jack Jpansons, 5 coalboxes, 1 Whistling Willies ’ and ‘ Blacic Marias.’ Hot stuff. Away we went again. Readied Germans’ first trench. No inhabitants. All blown out. More fire. Lest one man and off again. Got through second Line. No cheek. Our artillery had done, its work well. Looked for officer, gave signal, and off agin. Had just risen up when overhead bang went a shrapnel, and I got it, but was very lucky, as it only caught me in the right thigh. Dropped quickly and rolled over into a hole. Took off all equipment. Another man had had a slight wound and I got him m with mo and made a barricade for us against shell fire. Stayed there about two hours. Then told my mate we must ohanee our luck and crawl back. He was a bit nervous, as bullets were coming over like hail stones, but off I went and he followed. Losing blood, we hail a rest, then off again, and eventually got within a few yards of the old German trench, when bang went a bullet right through my heel. Cut off my boot and sock and put on field dressing, then crawled into our own trenches about. 2.30 a.m. The other fellow missed mo about twenty yards from our trendies and went into the French lines, but I saw him in the hospital and he was glad to sco me. We lost ono officer killed, two sergeants wounded and about fifteen men. All had to retire, as the Yorkshires had to go back before they got 200 yards, and that lot us in for fire from* the left wing, but we held on long enough and got reinforcements to the Gordons on our loft, and they held their ground.” A SURGEON’S LETTER CONSTANT BATTLE ON GALLIPOLI. AN ARMISTICE AND A TALK. WH4T THE TURKISH DOCTORS SAID. [From Our Correspondent.] AUCKLAND, July 20. Captain-Surgeon R. Walton, writing from Gallipoli or. Juno 11 to his brother, Mr Arthur Walton, of Auckland, says:— ug v now you will have read of the dor ions achievements of the New ZeaTand and Australian troops in landing on this peninsula. You will have also =een the casualty lists and will judge -hat we have had altogether a most, stipnuous time. Night and day the fighting goes ou- U notice an

interval of ten seconds in the big gun tiring wo think * the war’s over.’ \\o have had a lot of bad luck in our G Section. Last Monday one of our lads was shot dead a few yards from pur dressing station door, nnd to-day two more of then: went down to the beach and were hit by shrapnel. One died immediately and the other is dangerously wounded and 1 tear will not last long. All three wevo lino fellows and could ill be spared. And so the war gees on. What rejoicing if peace were declared to-morrow! lam sure most of us are sick of it. .1 am afraid, however, that tho war will ,not be ever this year. I hope I’m wrong. “A couple of weeks ago we had a unique experience. An armistice wo a arranged from 7.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m, in order t-o allow both_ sides to bury their (load, t-o Major O’Neill and I wont up to the firing line to have a. look round the bodies. Turks, colonials and Britishers were lying thick between the trenches? and as most had been dead for two or three weeks you cans imagine the condition of things. Our most interesting experence, _ however, was quite a. long conversation with some Turkish doctors. We exchanged cigarettes, and by means ,of an interpreter managed to hnvo quite a pleasant time. “ One remark by one of the euemv’s medical officers was significant. Ho said. 'May Allah bless the soldiers, but’to heli with the politicians.’ Another said, ‘The soldiers spend their time killing and wounding each other while we spend our time patching them up again.’ They both deplored the war. Wo parted good friends. “ Like you, 7 cannot understand why a lot of our Now Zealand single men do not voluntee.r. Wo need them. Perhaps tho nows of our landing may pt’mulata some latent patriotism In their breasts.”