THE DOMINIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16591, 14 January 1916, Page 5

THE DOMINIONS

SETTLEMENT OF SOLDIERS. SIR RIDER HAGGARD'S SCHEME. LONDON, January 12. Sir Rider Haggard has given the Australian Press Association an outline of his programme. Ho will leave in a few weeks, and is to visit South Africa, then, all the capitals in Australia and New Zealand. He will see as much of the country as possible in order to ascertain openings for soldiers and ex-service men after ithe war, either for settlement or for employment. "One result of the employment of women workers in Britain,'' he said, " will be a great exodus of men. We want to keep this movement within the Empire, and not allow them to go to America or the Argentine. There has been a .great fraternisation between Britons and Australasians since the war, and the attraction of the colonies lias been advertised. Many wounded men are unable to stand our English climate, and would appreciate orchards or farms in Australia or dairying in New Zealand. My (visit to Australia convinced me that it could support a. 50,000,000 population. I consider the work of settling emigrants so important that I have volunteered to carry it out in an honorary capacity, as agricultural settlement has been my life study. I shall go without cut-and-dried plans, and will discuss the possibilities with the various Governments with an open mind, and see ( what associations and individuals would be willing to help. I will invite suggestions and adivice from all willing to help to try and solve the problem. " The scheme will possibly provide assisted fares, help in the way of finance to purchase land, and will give guidance thereafter. My present opinion is that men, women, children, and widows might be included in the scheme. "After my investigations I shall submit a report with recommendations to the Colonial Institute, undertaking my task as a public duty, and hoping that the re'sult will be for the good of the Empire." SOUTH AFRICA'S EXPENDITURE. CAPETOWN, January 12. The South African war expenses amount to £1,000,000 a month. "SLACKERS" IN AUSTRALIA. GOVERNMENT PRESSURE. MELBOURNE, January 13. All unmarried men employed at the Federal works at Canberra have received notice of dismissal. AUSTRALIAN COAL. ' RESTRICTING 1 EXPORT. MELBOURNE, January 13. Mr Tudor, Minister of Trade and Customs,- has issued instructions that no ooal be exported from Australia without his written consent, which is the only method of restricting shipments. NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS. IN AUSTRALIAN CASUALTY LIST. SYDNEY, January 13. The names of the following New Zealanders are contained in casualty list No. 132 :— ILL.—Lieutenant N. S. BOYLE (disembarked at Malta), Private J. WILLIAMS (in hospital at Birmingham), Sergeant A. DALY (removed from the serious list), Private GEORGE J. T. S. COOPER

(pronounced out of danger) and T. L. . GRAHAM (returned to duty). EXPORT® TO CHINA. PROHIBITEDIN AUSTRALIA. MELBOURNE, January 13. (Received Jan. 13, at 10.25 p.m.) A proclamation prohibits the export of goods to China and Siam, excepting to specified receivers. OPINION IN BRITAIN SIR E. BAR,TON INTERVIEWED. MELBOURNE, January 13. (Received Jan. 13, at 10.25 p.m.) Sir Edmund Barton has returned from a visit to England. He declared that it is recognised on all sides that an inconclusive peace is only another name for renewed war under far more difficult conditions. The reasoned opinion of the United Kingdom is solidly in favour of fighting till the job is completed. Asked what were the opinions as to the chances of an early termination of the struggle, Sir Edmund said that amongst public men of importance he met there was a general opinion that the economic pressure upon the Central Powers was becoming very strong. HONOURS FOE NEW ZEALANDERS/

AWARDS AND MEDALS. LONDON, January 13. (Received Jan. 14, at 1.25 a.m.) the following- honours have been conferred upon the New Zealanders mentioned' :— COMPANIONS OF ST. MICHAEL AND ST. GEORGE. Colonels JOHN HUGHES and MELDRUM. Drs PARKES, SYMOtt, ROBERTS, and YOUNG. Major ESSON. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER. Majors FALLA and HASTINGS. MILITARY CROSSES. Captains LEOPOLD ACLAND, DUNCAN BLAIR, DANIELL, DORE, FARE, ALFRED GREEN, GUTHRIE, PETER HENDERSON, ROSE, SHERA, HUGH STEWAET, THOMS, and FERDINAND WOOD; Lieutenants WM. BISHOP, FRANK TURNBULL, and TWISTLETON. ROYAL RED CROSS (First Class). Matron Miss NURSE (?) DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL. Sergeants-major BOATE and RICKETTS, Sergeants J. CAMPBELL, L. S. GRAHAM, R. HARPER, F. MITCHELL, TAVENDER, Corporals F. WATSON and SPENCER, Troopers L. ARMSTRONG and WINTER, Private PARGrANIHI, Sapper DIGNAN.