AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15684, 11 August 1914, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEERS.

KITCHENER'S MESSAGE.

ARRANGING FOR TRANSPORT. Sydney, August 10. Senator Millen, Defence Minister, states that the Department has been completely inundated with applications to join the expeditionary force. Sir George Reid, High Commissioner, cables: Lord Kitchener desires me to convey his special thanks for the splendid help promised. He knows that the Australian soldier will give a good account of himself. His final words are 'Roll up! Roll up!' "

• The Federal Premier estimates that the expeditionary force will cost Australia £2,500,000.

The Adelaide Steamship Company's Grant-ala, 3650 tons, and the Union -Company's Aorangi, 4200 tons,, have taken up the transport service. Negotiations are proceeding to charter other steamers for similar work. ,

. Lady Ferguson proposes to form an Australian branch of the British Red Cross Society, and appeals for loyal committees to organise collecting parties. Lady Strickland and the wives of the Governors in other States have agreed to serve oil the Central Council.

The Lord Mayor has opened a Patriotic War Fund. The trustees of the late Elizabeth Walker Hall ' have appropriated £10,000 for the relief of distress .caused by the war.

• The feeling here is generally more settled, and the people are confidently awaiting news of a North Sea battle. The German bands, chiefly confining their selection to martial British airs and the Marsellaise, are reaping a rich harvest.-

AGE-LIMIT IMPOSED.

MIXED , FORCE FORMING.

(?v€ceivcd August 10, 9,40 p.m.)

Sydney, August 10.

• It is announced that no one under 19 years of age will be eligible for membership of the expeditionary forces. -

Senator Millen, Federal Minister for Defence, notifies that the Government has decided to organise a small mixed naval and military force ■■ to serve within or without Australia. This force is to be quite distinct from that being organised for service in ; Britain.

The census returns of 1911 showed that there were then 32,990 Germans in the Commonwealth.