GENERAL STEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17113, 19 September 1917, Page 5

GENERAL STEMS

POST-WAR PROBLEMS. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association and Router. LONDON, September 17. The National Transporters' Federation is organising a national campaign on a general post-war policy, wherein it will seek to secure the conversion of the existing war bonus into a permanent increase of wages, the abolition of systematic overtime, reduction in hours, and the abolition of underpaid Asiatic labour in the mercantile marine. INSTRUCTION HOSPITALS. PROPOSAL BY AMERICA. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. WASHINGTON, September 17. The Government proposes to establish a chain of Red Cross instruction hospitals, where wounded and maimed will be restored to health and taught trades. BOYCOTTING GERMANS. ACTION BY SEAMEN AND FIREMEN. LONDON, September 17. (Received Sept. 18, at 7.5 p.m.) Tho Seamen, and Firemen's Unitih is organising a boycott of Germans for 12 months after the war, during which seamen will not handle any goods of German origin, will not enter a German port, and will not sail on a ship on which there is a German sailor. For every crime which Germans commit on sea or land henceforward the union will add a month to the boycott. OFFER TO GERMAN TROOPS. REWARD FOR FIRST AMERICAN PRISONER. LONDON, September 18. (Received Sept. 19, at 0.25 a.m.) The .Daily Mail's Paris correspondent says the French military authorities have informed General Pershing that the Kaiser has offered £15 and three weeks' leave to the first German making an American prisoner. THE RED CROSS FUND (OTAGO). Previously acknowledged £411 15 8 ' : A Humble Organ-grinder," weekly offering 0 2 6 Total £41118 2 Wo have received 17s 3d from the pupils of tho Western School for tho Y.M.C.A. Trench Comforts Fund. GOING TO THE FRONT. A large number of friends rriet on Monday evening to bid farewell to Privates Arthur E. Burrell and J. W. Fletcher. Mr J. Wallace presented Private Barrel! with a shaving outfit and fountain pen, and Private Fletcher with a case of pipes. Various speakers testified to the stjning qualities of both recipients. A very enjoyable social was tendered at Watta.hv.ua or. Friday evening last to tho Messrs Webster, who were oh their final leave prior to leaving for the- front. Air Murdoch, in the absence of Mr Whelaa (chairman of the Patriotic Committee), presented each soldier with a money belt and pocket knife, and Mr Pender delivered an eloquent patriotic speech on the present position of the war. It is noteworthy th.it the two guests of the evening make fivo of this family to do their bit for their country. An attractive musical programme was presented. On Thursday evening Private H. Fidriis was entertained at Maori Hill by some cf his- friends and companions, and ho was presented with a handsome case of pipes and tobacco pouch. Mr H. Morton made •the presentation. On Wednesday evening Private Fiddis was the recipient of a handsame money belt

SOLDIERS' PENSIONS.

SUGGESTED INCREASES. The Executive Sub-committee of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, at a meeting on Friday night, received a reply from the Minister of Defence to a letter from tho executive emphasising the desiro of the Returned Soldiers' Association that tho increases in pensions and allowances proposed by the Government should be made retrospective. In reply, the Minister stated that, in his opinion, any alterations made should be applicable to all soldiers and their dependents as from a d:;iimte date, whether the soldier belonged .to tlio Main Body or was goins; into canw. He feared that it was not practicable to make such alterations retrospective. The situation was considered at length (says the Post), and dissent was expressed at the Minister's-suggestion that tho scheme was not practical. Various regulations were suggested by which any d fficulties attendant on such a scheme could be minimised, and it was decided to reply to the Minister of Defence stating that the association was convinced that, in principle, its claim in regard to the new scale was just, nor was it aware of any difficulties which could be regarded as malting the proposal impracticable. GREEN ISLAND WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION. The finished work for tho week sent in was: Six flannel undershirts, two dozen service bags, 6 muslin shirts, 55 handkerchiefs, U tea towels, 15 pairs of socks, 4 balaclava caps, 1 pair of cuffs. The school ouota was 55 handkerchief's, 14 tea towels. The following sent donations:—Dominion Parcels: Mrs P. M'Lran, Master Taylor, Miss Lizzie Geddes (pair of cuffs).