IN AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16964, 17 September 1915, Page 8

IN AUSTRALIA.

, UNIVERSAL SERVICE.

By Telegraph.—r*r»»e .4 s«oc.iation.—Copyright, SYDNEY, September 16.

The Universal Service League invites the co-operation of women. The league explains that the movement is not intended for men only, as women liave, as vital an interest in universal service as men. Public meetings have been called. The .Hon C. G. Wade, K.C., supporting tho Universal Service League, says: '‘For tho time being party lines and party ties must be entirely effaced. It is too late to argue against universal service in Australia. The principle has been adopted for a number of years, and the present movement is simply an extension. It has been found that voluntary effort fails when tho strain is greatest. If we wait six months it will be too late, and we will then pay tho penalty of misguided timidity. The public mind must bo educated to a sense of the gravity of the position. The appeal is to tho whole of Australia, and to all kind's and classes. The movemont has no political significance.” (The objects of the league are described in an article appearing on page e.) • GOVERNMENT APPROVES CONSCRIPTION. “ STRENGTH ANT) SOUL OF THE NATION:” (Received September 16, 10 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 16. The Hon J. D. Fitzgerald, Vice-Pre-sident of the Executive Council, replying in the House to critioisms of the Government, said that the Govemir ent believed in conscription, that was to say, conscription for the purpose of organising the whole forces and wealth of the nation, the strength and soul of the nation. Mr Holman was participating in such organisation in defianco of the wishes of many influential men pf his own party. MUNITIONS. SCIENTIFIC ASSISTANCE. (Received September 16, 10 p.m;) SYDNEY, September 16. . The Roya.l Society has offered its pervices to the Government in connection with the manufacture of munitions, and in other scientific matters arising out of the war. 1 NO LOANS FROM AMERICA. MELBOURNE, September 16It is understood that several States sounded the American money market as to the possibility of raising loans, but the results were disappointing owing to fear of international complications. The idea of raising money in America has since been abandoned. ENEMY GOODS. MELBOURNE, September 16. Mr Hughes has notified the Press that the Government will not permit the circulation of newspapers inserting advertisements of enemy goods. OFFICERS’ PAY. MELBOURNE, September 16. The authorities have decided to reduce the pay of military officers called up for administrative and instructional duties. A colonel’s pay has been reduced from £B2l to £675, and others accordingly. Field allowances remain the same. METALS FOR THE WAR. MELBOURNE, September 16. A proclamation baa been issued stating that the Commonwealth has entered} 5 into an agreement with the Imperial Government for a period of twelve months to acquire on its behalf all molybdenite, scheelito and wolfram produced. Messrs Dalgety and Co. have been appointed agents in connection with tho transactions. Arrangements have been made to seize all stock withheld.

QUEENSLAND’S QUOTA. t BRISBANE, September 16. Arrangements are being made for the formation of a War Council similar to those in other States. Queensland will he asked to supply 2200 recruits monthly. A MINERS’ CORPS. (Received September 16, 10 p.m.) MELBOURNE, September 16. The acceptance of a Miners’ Corps by the Imperial Government is the outcome of General Bird wood’s appreciation of the successful sork of the Australian miners attachea to the Expeditionary Forces. The corps will include geologists, mining engineers and other specialists.

GERAIAN WITH AMMUNITION. (Received September 16, 11.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 16. Bebrmann, a naturalised German, -~i.„ yesterday was sentenced to three

months' imprisonment for haring rifle ammunition in his possession, was further charged with having a revolver and thirty-rounds of ammunition, and was fined) £IOO, and also sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour. GERMANS IN PUBLIC SERVICE. (Received September 16, 11.10 p.rn.) SYDNEY, September 16. Thero is a strongly growing movement against the retention of Germans in tho public son-ice. Publ-’o speakers and correspondents of tho newspapers are pressing the Government to act. Tho Local Government conference resolved to urge the Premier to retire from tho pubic scrvico all persons of Gorman descent. A LOAN BILL. (Received September IT, 1.40 a.m.) MELBOURNE, September 16. It is proposed to introduce a second Loan Bill' on the resumption of the Federal Parliament in October, providing about twenty-five millions, covering .the requirements of tho Commonwealth and States. AUSTRALIAN CASUALTIES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright. SYDNEY, September 16. Tho seventy-eighth casualty list is as follows: Killed in action—Four officers and seven men. Died of wounds—Twenty-four men. Died of illness—Six men. Wounded—Eight ' officers and 165 men, including Privates J. H. Lister and R. R. Chapman, New Zealanders, in hospital at Malta. 111—365 men, including Private P. Docherty (previously reported wounded), Sergeant R. Brown, Privates J. Brown, W. J. Wheatley, V. Turner (in the hospital, Ghezireh), Lance-Corporal R. D. Chalmers, Sapper E. H. Hooper (in hospital at Malta), Private J. A. M’Glone (previously reported wounded), New Zealanders. Missing—Ono officer and two men. Prisoners of war at Constantinople— Twenty men. Returned to duty—Private S. L. Williams, New Zealander. Embarked for England—Privates D. L. Matheson and C. Maule, New Zealanders.

CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY. MENTIONED IN REGIMENTAL ORDERS. By the latest mail a copv of the regimental orders of tho Wellington Mounted Regiment was forwarded to the parents of tho late Trooper Fred Coates. In a covering letter Major Elmslie, officer commanding the 2nd Squadron, since ki.le.l in action, says regarding the late trooper: "For our part, although dead 1 and gone, yet he will long live in our memories, and the best any of us can wish is that, if it is our fate to fall here in this war, we may do it in such a fashion that, our comrades are proud of ns.” The major’s wish was granted, for not long after writing the letter ho fell fighting.' Tho orders say: "The Army Corps commander has very much p.easure in publishing the names of the junior regimental officers, warrant officers, N.0.0.’s and men in the attached'supplement which have been brought to his notice for having performed acts of conspicuous gallantry or valuable service. . .. He cordially thanks them for the good work they have performed, which more than ever testifies to their dovotion to duty to King and country. His only regret* is that they cannot all be rewarded.” Ten names are mentioned, and six of them, including that of Trooper Coates, .are the names of men killed in action. The order is signed by Captain Y. A. Kelsall, who has since fallen at the front. ON THE MAHENO. PREPARING TO RESCUE THE WOUNDED. A member of tho ambulance detachment aboard the hospital ship Alaheno, writing to a friend in Christchurch from .a port of call, says:-—I think my duties on the boat will prove exceeditgly interesting. I am detailed off to assist Dr Spedding in-tho bacteriological laboratory, also in tho operating theatre and the special ward. I am very pleased. It is just in my line, so they will get my interest in tho work. There is very little spare time for us on tho boat while at sea. W© have lectures and demonstrations to attend two or three times a day, and 1 everything has to bo-prepared for receiving the wounded shortly, so you see we are kept very busy;;. “Reveille” is at 5.30 a.ra. and “lights out ” at 9 ' p.m., and all intermediate hours are i well occupied. We are well looked after, and have about a dozen uniforms, compidsing two serge khakis, .two khaki drills (light), two white- I suits, about four ward suits and one of dungarees. Duriug the voyage the heat was terrific, and there were thousands of flying fish to be seen in the tropics. OFF TO THE FRONT. On Monday evening, at the Ashburton Woollen Mi.ls, Mr P. Butler, who is leaving for the front, was presented by Mr Walker with a sliaving outfit from his friends in the mills. In making the presentation, Mr Walker mentioned that upon Mr Butler’s, return his old position would bo open for him. Messrs 0. Morse and H. Gillespie, who are loaving for the front, were farewelled by the residents of Flemington on Saturday evening. Tile Rev J. O. Mill presided, and presented Mr Morse with a safety razor and sovereign case, and Mr Gillespie with a wallet. Corporal T. Bisman was entertained by his friends at a farewell social at the Burwood Hall on September 8, the! proceedings taking the form of a musical . evening. Songs were contributed by Misses Salkald, Bowden and Bisman, and Messrs Rogers, Fuller and Rouse, and a recitation was given by Mr Stokes. The accompaniments were played by Miss Bisman and Mr SalKald. During the evening Air Berry, on behalf of Corporal Bisman’s friends, presented the guest of the evening with a purse of sovereigns. RETURNED SOLDIERS. WELCOMED HOME. Trooper Shilton, one of the men who arrived bv the Tahiti, reached Woodend on Wednesday afternoon. His parents met him at Lyttelton and Air Little placed his car at the disposal of tho Patriotic Committee to convey the soldier from Kaiapoi. Short notice of tho arrival was given, but Air Cutler allowed some of the schoolboys to act as messengers, with the result that a fairsized company assembled at the hall by 1.15. The school flag was hoisted, tho

children were marched to the hall, where cheers were given for the returned soldier, who was welcomed by the Rev J. R„ Clark on behalf of the Patriotic Committee. The children were made happy by being granted a hairholiday. j Private Roland Stnndfield and Trooper W. Moore, of Teniuka, who have been invalided liome to Temuka, were welcomed at the station on Wednesday by the Mayor of Temuka (Mr A. Frew) and a largo crowd of people. Private Standfield, who was a despatch-carrier, had been wounded in the, wrist and band, and still had his hand in a sling. Trooper Moore was wounded in the leg and needed the assistance of a stick when walking. APARIMA AT DUNEDIN. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, September 16. The transport Aparima arrived at Port Chalmers to-day, and anchored in the stream while transhipping to launches a number of returned soldiers for the quarantine station. There are also a few soldiers on board who are to be sent to Wellington, where, it is understood, am inquiry will be held that it is necessary for them to attend. i IDENTIFICATION DISCS. [From Ocr Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, September 16. Mr Jennings reccntfy suggested in tlie House that if it were possible the identification discs of onr soldiers who are killed at the Dardanelles should be forwarded to their relatives iis souvenirs that their boys bad died for their country'in battle. The member for Taumarnnui has received the following reply from the Minister of Defence: —‘‘1 have made inquiries, and have been advised that according to field service regulations the identity disc of a deceased soldier and any personal effects which may have a sentimental value are sent with the least possiblo delay by the officer commanding to the officer in charge of records, New Zealand, for transmission to the next of kin or other person the soldier may have directed that they bo, forwarded to.”

PRISONERS. SIX NEW ZEALANDERS IN HANDS OF TURKS.' [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 16. A cablegram lias reached the Defence Minister (the Hon J. Allen) giving the names of five New Zealand soldiers, who are prisoners in the hands of the Turks. The nows has come from the Turkish Red Crescent at Constantinople through the British Red - Cross. Hie names of the five men, who were previously reported as missing, are being communicated to the next of kin. The _ Minister stated late to-night that six New Zealanders were now known to be prisoners of war. The name of the first man reported prisoner had come through the American bureau at Tho latter mesage had come from tfie Red Cross, and it seemed reasonable to assume that other names had still to bo reported through one source or tho other. TRENTHAM HOSPITAL. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON. September 16. Speaking to a pressman to-day tho Hon James Allen said that there was no reason for the slightest uneasiness in regard to the hospital cases at Trentliam. Mr Allen said that he obtained tho hospital returns twice a day. New men were constantly coming into camp, and any man with any form of illness, even if only with a cold or sore throat, \ras sent to the hospital for treatment. These cases were included in the daily returns. The Minister also said that almost as many cases were daily leaving the hospitals as went in. One day this week, for Instance, thirty wej-e “admitted” and thirty-six “discharged.” On another day forty-one were admitted and thirty-one discharged. There was no undue significance whatever in the hospital figures.