OTAGO AND RECRUITS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3168, 2 December 1914, Page 31

OTAGO AND RECRUITS.

PLENTY OF MEN AVAILABLE. A deputation from the newly-formed Recruiting Committee waited on the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) on the railway station platform on the 23rd ult. in regard to the matter of recruiting morning in regard to the matter of recruiting for reinforcements. In the course of his reply Mr Massey completely dissipated the idea that there was any shortage of men offering, or that any of the Government departments was placing obstacles in the way of men who desired to volunteer for active service. The Mayor, who, as president of the committee, acted as the principal speaker, put the position very clearly before the Prime Minister, and asked a number of pertinent questions, all of which were answered in tarn. Lieutenant-colonel Stoneham, representing the National Reserve, also put a few questions to the Prime Minister. They understood, he said, that the second reinforcements would leave Dunedin on December 14, being duo in Wellington on the 15th. There were some 700 of these men going from Otago, and he would like to know when they would be expected to leave their situations. The Prime Minister said that in the first place he desired, on behalf of the Government, to thank the people of Dunedin for the offer of assistance which they had made in regard to recruiting men for the front. There had not been the slightest difficulty up to the present in obtaining men, and so far from any trouble being experienced there was a much greater number of men offering than was required. Preference was, of course, being given to experienced men and to the Territorials, but they realised that the time was coming when the door would have to be opened very much wider. The next contingent would bo ready to go about the middle of next month, and 5000 men would be sent away two months afterwards. Personally he had had no doubt about the ability of the country to obtain men. and men of just as good a stamp as those who had gone already. With regard to the requirements for the future, he was not able to express an opinion, as no one knew how many men would be wanted. There were indications however, that the Imperial authorities vould be calling upon the dominions and overseas dependencies to assist them in putting a force into the field in the next European summer or autumn that would be sufficient to bring the war to a speedy conclusion. —(Applause.) If that request were made they would then have to do everything possible to send a sufficient number of men from New Zealand to fulfil the requirements of the Mother Land and a force that would be in proportion to the numbers despatched from the other colonies. With regard to the obstacles placed in the way of Government employees, ho had not, previously heard of that objection The Government had allowed many hundreds of its servants to go to the front, and in future a proportion would also bo allowed to go. _ However, they could not allow the working of the railway service, or any other department of the country, to bo interfered with, and they had to keep a sufficient number of men to maintain the running of the State departments. Many Government employees had volunteered for service and were willing and anxious to go to the front, but trained men were required to run these departments, and a certain proportion had to be retained in the country. His attention had also been called to the matter of pensions, and he would like to explain the position in regard to that matter. The Pensions’ Act was not a new Act. but had been placed on the Statute Book a number of years ago. He had stated that the Government would go into the whole position, and if the military pensions were not adequate—and personally he

did not think they woro adequate in ths case of the rank and file and the non-com-missioned officers—something more would bo done by the Government. Where men were risking and perhaps losing their lives the country had got to do the right tiling by then- dependents.—(Applause.) He could assure them that both the Government and Parliament were of that opinion. The suggestion regarding a central recruiting office was a good one, and would receive attention. Of course they must understand that men who had seen active service or had been trained, such as the Legion of Frontiersmen and the Territorials, had to receive the preference, and at present it would not be wise to go outside theso. Lord Kitchener was very strongly opposed to having raw recruits sent to the front, and if the men had not been trained before enrolling they had to go to England or somewhere else for that training. In conclusion, ho wanted to thank the citizens of Dunedin for the interest they wore taking in the matter. lie felt sure the time would come when tha Government would be called upon to ask for assistance in this, and in other centres, with the object of sending double the present forco to the front. In regard to tha ; of advertising, be would discuss ; that with the Minister of Defence, who was | coming down the line.—(Applause.) I The Mayor thanked the Prime Minister for the manner in which he had received the deputation, and as the train left Mr Massey was given three rousing cheers. OTAGO REINFORCEMENTS. The following volunteers left Dunedin on November 28 by the second express, en route to the concentration camp al Trentham. The men will go under a course of training for the rank of non-commissioned officer's. Field Artillery: Charles Bosswill, William Hornby, Edgar Tyson, Edwin R, Wells, Black, Cecil Bell, John Cuthill, Ewcn G. Pilling, Eric Ryburn, James Napier, Henry E. Napier Frederick A. Mackey, George Adnum Roach, Gordon Forbes. The following officers for the infantry battalion of the second reinforcements left i Dunedin by the second express on the 27th nit.: —Captain David White (Otago Regiment Coast Defence), Lieutenant A. Hoggans (10th North Otago Regiment! Lieutenant D. PI. S. Biddell (4th Regiment), Lieutenant W. J. A. Bishop (Unattached List B), Lieutenant G. E. Wayte (Unattached List B), Lieutenant T. R. Sargood (Unattched List B), Second Lieutenant D. T. Hartley (Bth Southland Regiment). Second Lieutenant D. Gilman, Second Lieutenant D. R. Garden, Second Lieutenant Garth Galloway. The rates of pay for the officers of tha Nbnv Zealand Expcd'tionary Forces are as follow: Lieutenant-colonel, 25s per day: field allowance, 5s per daygrooming allowance. Is 6d per day—£4s6 5s per annum (including allowances, £574 17s 6d). Major, 21s per day, field allowance 5s per day, grooming Is 6cl per day, £383 5s per annum; including allowances £5Ol 17s. Cnntain. 17s sd. per day, field allowaro-' 3s fid per day, grooming allowance 1: fid per day, £319 7s fid per annum; including allowances £4lO 12s fid. Lieutenants, 12s per day, field allowance 5s per day, grooming allowance Is fid per dav, £219 ner annum; ’ncludijig allowances £3'm Pc fid. Captains ana lieutenants who are adjutants receive 5s per uay in addition to Lie above rates of pay. i MORE MEN WANTED. All arms of the Otago district are complete for the current reinforcements except mounted rifles, infantry', and field ambulance. For the latter arm of the service seven volunteers are still required, and recruits wiil be gladly accepted for the mounted rifle and infantry brunches. ! STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF DEFENCE. Speaking to a reporter at Christchurch on Saturday night, the Hon. James Allen (Minister of Defence) said: Dunedin had been asked to supply more than its correct ouota for the Expeditionary Force. Practically all the field ambulance came from Otago, and were sent north, so men were sent south to make up the quota. At first there may not have been so much keenness as elsewhere, but now they ore as keen there as anywhere. The Otago officers for the next lot of reinforcements had been secured, and already the southern quota ffa e< assured. In all about 30G0 men would go into camp during the next throe weeks. The officers and non-commissioned officers selected had gone or were going into camp for special training. Practically all required were now available. There was no need to force the matter. Enrolment was proceeding. The first lot was_ practically completed, and men wore offering for the second batch of reinforcements. It had been decided to bring back men from Samoa and give them an opportunity of volunteering for the front. A force of 500 men between the ages of 40 and 47 would bo enrolled for garrison duty in Samoa. They were enrolling in Dunedin already. ! STUDENTS’ FAREWELL TO COMRADES. One of the nloasant little functions that have been, unfortunately, for some time discontinued took place place at the Railway Station on the 261 h, when a number of men left for the concentration camp at Trentham. Among thorn wore several University students, including two or three who have made their names on the football field, and their fellow students turned out in large numbers to bid them farewell. A squad of the students clad in their Territorial uniforms, lined up on the platform, and in the few minutes before the train started sang several songs specially composed for the. occasion. One was a song of farewell, set to the tune of the “ Wibbly-Wobbly Walk” ditty of vaudeville fame, and another alluded in disrespectfully familiar terms to the Kaiser’s eccentricities and personal peculiarities. Someone called for three cheers far the men departing, which wero given, and than Sergeant-major Catto gave

a strong hint, in his humorous vaj. to those who were backward in volunteering by fading for a similar compliment “ to those who are corning after them.” As Lie train steamed out the fearsome “Turuki, Turuki, Paneke, Paneke ” was given with warlike ferocity by those remaining on the- plattorm. The men who went wore as follow: Field Artillery: Charles Bosswill, William Hornby, Edgar Tyson, Edwin R. Wells, Black. Cecil Bell, John Cuthill, Ewen G. Pilling, Eric Ryburn, James Napier, Henry E Napier, Frederick A. Mackey, George Adnum Roach, Gordon Forbes. PATRIOTIC AND RECRUITING COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Patriotic and Recruiting Committee was held in the Council Chambers at 4 o’clock on Friday the Mayor presiding. Airs S. AI. Park and Airs Beaumont were added to the committee. Mr J. A. Johnstone regretted that he could not accept a scat on the committee, owing to the vast amount of work he had in connection with the Patriotic Association. The secretary was instructed to write- to the Patriotic Association stating that the committee was anxious and willing to become a sub-committee of the association. _ It was also resolved to hold a public meeting in the South Dunedin ffown Hall, probably next Thursday. The sub-commit-tee which arranged the public mooting on Thursday night was appointed to make all arrangements in connection with this meeting. FIRST NATIONAL CAAIP. WELLINGTON, November 30. The reinforcement camp now established at Trentham is remarkable in more ways than one. It is the first national camp m a Laly national sense held in New Zealand. Th*> men in it are fully representative of the best c manhood in the country, and the camp is considered to be the best organised and administered that has yet been held in this country. In the past camps have been held: upon a purely regimental brigade or a district scale. In the present camp at Trentham the whole of the New Zealand army is represented; every regiment and every arm of service and _ men in it are going to reinforce every unit in the Expeditionary Force now on their way to Europe. The men have been drawn from all parts of New Zealand. The camp is admirably laid out and equipped. SOLDIERS AND POLITICS. Candidates for scats in Parliament have been writing to the authorities asking that the men mobilised should be allowed to attend political meetings, and also requesting the . use of barracks for political meetings. Paragraph 205 of the New Zealand regulations strictly forbids attendance at meetings, demonstrations, or processions for party or political purposes m barracks, quarters, camps, or their vicinity. Where leave can be granted to men mobilised to attend these meetings m plain clothes such leave is given. But it is impossible for political meetings to be held m barracks. VOLUNTEERS FOR SAMOA. 500 AIIDDLE-AGED MEN WANTED. TO RELIEVE GARRISON FOR THE FRONT. The Hon. J. Allen made an announcement to an Otago Daily Times reporter on 26th ult. regarding the men on garrison duty m Samoa. “A large number of men, said the Minister, “have now been for a long time engaged in garrison duty in Samoa. Many of them are very desirous of going to the front, and I want to give them an opportunity of volunteering to go there. If this is to be done it will be necessary to replace, at any rate, a portion of the garrison by other troops from New Zealand. In order to do this I propose to give an opportunity to 500 men between the ages of 40 and 47 to volunteer for service in Samoa to relievo some of the garrison there. Arrangements will be made with the Defence Office to got the names of these 500 throughout New Zealand. It is proposed to get them into camp some time in January, and as soon as they have had sufficient training to send them to Samoa. Their pay will he on the same basis as that of the Expeditionary Force, for the first month at Territorial rates of pay, and after at the Expeditionary Force rates. Preference will bo given to those who have served in the volunteers or who have seen service, and then members of rifle clubs, the National Reserve, the Legion of Frontiersmen, etc., and others who have taken an active interest in defence questions at the present time.” In response to the letter from the Hon. James Allen, Alinister of Defence, read at the patriotic meeting in the Garrison Hall on Thursday night, a number of men called at the Defence Office on Friday to offer their with the force which it is intended to send to Samoa to relieve part of the garrison there. The names and addresses of the volunteers wore taken. Official information in regard to enrolment, etc., is expected to be received shortly from Wellington. CHRISTMAS GIFTS. WELLINGTON. November 28. Christmas cheer for the New Zealand garrison at Samoa, in the form of cases containing all sorts of luxuries and comforts, has been sent by rail to Auckland for shipment by the Navua. The total consignment represents 108 cases, all of which are filled with every conceivable kind of dainty, from a 501 b cake to a 11b plum pudding. The goods represent the good will and generosity of relatives and friends In Wellington. GERMANS AT SAMOA. WELLINGTON, November 30. With reference to statements recently made regarding the court-martial of a Gorman prisoner in Samoa, the Prime Alinister states that his Excellency the Governor has received a message from Colonel Logan (Administrator at Samoa) that there is no truth that any German had been condemned to death. BUTESHIRE AS A TRANSPORT. AUCKLAND, November 26. The steamer Buteshire arrived to-day. She was employed as a British transport, md carried 2400 men and 100 officers, under )he command of General Holt, from Dublin jo Havre. The officers of the ship enthuei\stically praise the behaviour of the men.