GATHERING THE CROPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15964, 8 July 1915, Page 8

GATHERING THE CROPS.

GERMANS IN FRANCE. INTERESTING THEORY. FRENCH HARVEST PROSPECTS (Received July 8, 2 a.m.) Paris, July 7. The Germans' offensive has been accompanied by the renewed use of burning liquids, a fresh supply of gases and increased shelling The Germans are even stimulating the men to attack by means of drugs. The immediate object of these tactics, it is believed, is to hold as much land as possible for harvesting and make the war as far as possible self-supporting. The same reason is suggested for the multiplying of fines in the conquered towns and districts. Experts anticipate the maintenance of such an offensive in the vicinity of the Souchez sugar refinery as long as the beetroot, corn and potatoes are ungathered.

The French crop prospects are better than was expected, though some will be damaged by storms. The Government has given the territorials a fortnight's leave, and gangs of soldiers are also assisting the farmers, but the women of France are mainly responsible for keeping agriculture going.

RECRUITS' ENTHUSIASM. LOST TO NEW ZEALAND. CHANCE IN AUSTRALIA. Australian newspapers of recent date contain references to the number of New Zealanders who are enlisting in Australia, having proceeded to the Commonwealth at their own expense, because they wanted to get into training without delay, and saw no chance of doing so in New Zealand. One such reference from the Sydney Morning Herald is as follows :—" Another batch of New Zealanders arrived at the enrolling office, and asked to be put on the strength of the Commonwealth Military Forces, as they could not get to the front for months if they enrolled in the Dominion. They were of a fine stamp. One had been with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles, another had been in the Government Artillery and a third had seen a lot of volunteerinsr in the islands."