THE EMPIRE'S CALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3261, 13 September 1916, Page 38

THE EMPIRE'S CALL.

NEW ZEALAND'S

FUTURE REINFORCEMENTS. APPEAL FOR VOLUNTARY ENLISTMENT. AUCKLAND, September 5. Referring to the question of future reinforcement drafts, the Minister of Defence remarked that at present there were probably enough men of the first division in the country to keep up our reinforcements for the next seven or eight months. He emphasised that those who wanted to sec New Zealand fulfil her obligations, and those who wanted to escape compulsion and witness the triumph of the voluntary system in the dominion, must use every effort in their power towards getting all our reinforcement drafts filled up. "The recruiting committees," said Mr Allen, "have done very good work in the past, and if they keep going, and aro joined by other workers, I have no doubt of success in getting men without applying compulsion. There aro plenty of men to come, and there should not be any difficulty m securing enough men for the next few months The recruiting committees are just in the stage now that, the army is at the present time. They have got a grip of the thing, and must keep going. The same remark applies to New Zealand, as elsewhere. If the numbers are kept up there is no doubt about the finish." THE PROOF OF ENROLMENT. We have received the following from the chairman of the Recruiting Board:— " It is still evident from reports in the press and from communications that have reached the board that there is a widespread anxiety on the part of reservists for some evidence of their enrolment in the reserve pending the issue of certificates of enrolment. It has, therefore, been decided that the Government Statistician shall acknowledge the receipt of each application and that such acknowledgment will be a temporary proof of enrolment until it is replaced in due course bv the certificate itself. It will be clearly understood, of course, that once the certificate is issued the temporary acknowledgment card will entirely cease to have any value as a proof of enrolment. Arrangements have been made to overtake the accumulation of applications already received, and it is hoped that within the next week or 10 days every reservist who has applied for a certificate of enrolment will have received an acknowledgment card. Any reservist, therefore, who has applied for his certificate of enrolment and who does not get an acknowledgment card within the time stated above should at once renew his application." ENLISTMENT AHEAD. WELLINGTON, September 11. The Cabinet has decided that in future the period of enlistment for the Expeditionary Forces shall be three months ahead, instead of six months, as at present. SHIIiKING FAMILIES. AUCKLAND, September 5. As the result of a conference attended by the Minister of Defence, local officials, and the Mayor of Auckland, the Mayor announces that the provisions of the Act for pressing into active service members of shirking families will be brought into operation for filling the first shortage of the reinforcement draft after the 16th inst.. RECRUITING RALLY. ADDRESS BY HON MR RUSSELL. There was a large assemblage in front of the Town IJa]l on Saturday night, when an appeal was made tor men for the Twenty-first Reinforcement, which is to leave Dunodin next week. The St. Kilda Band played music before and during the proceedings. Mr T. Somerville, who acted as chairman, drew attention to the proclamation issued by the Government with reference to the First and Second' Reserves. The Government might have been slow in bringing conscription forward, but it would not be slow to enforce it. Although a man had enrolled on the National Register it was still necessary for him to go to the post office and make sure that his name was on the roll, and he would receive a certificate from Wellington to show that he was registered. The Rev. Mr Hay said, in company with other speakers, in the past he had tried to put the position as clearly as it was possible to put it, and yet they were faced with the fact that they were etill short in the number of men they sent away every month. His personal feeling was that these meetings were now a farce. The Hon. Mr Russell said up to the present New Zealand had done nobly, but there was still work to bo done. He appealed to young men without family responsibility to come forward and do their share in the great war. No woman was true to herself or to her sex who had the opportunity of inducing a brother, a sweetheart, or a friend to take his place in the fighting line and who used her influence to keep that man from doing his duty. The war must be fought to a finish, and brought to such a conclusion that Germany would not be in a position for many years, if ever again, to lift her hand in aggression against the other nations of the world. Our troops had been doing excellent work under General Haigh. There were now six days in which every eligible man had the opportunity to send in his claim for enrolment. At the end of that time every man would be liable to be summoned before the court, and, if convicted of not having sent in his enrolment card, he would be liable to be at once sent into camp as a soldier conscripted by his own action. It was the desire of the National Government that the war should be carried through by NewZealand on the voluntary principle. After Mr Russell had answered several questions three hearty cheers were given for him by the crowd. Several recruits came forward. During the evening a number of patriotic pictures were thrown on a screen, and by the same means advice was given to the public with

regard to the provisions of the Military Servico Act. Mr Simpson was in charge of the lantern. COAL MINERS AND COMPULSION. The Minister of Defence has sent to Mr P. C. Webb, M.P., a communication, in the course of which he says: — "It will bo evident to you that the war cannot be carried on by men who fight alone, but that industry and commerce have to- be kept going, and food supplies, munitions, and equipment continuously supplied. "To do this, discretion has to be shown by those who select reinforcements, to exclude the men who aro essential for industry and commerce.

• "In this memorandum I shall only refer to the coal miners, though others are concerned. It is plain that New Zealand could not transport reinforcements to the front, nor could the country keep her industries going, without supplies of coal. r Jt is essential, there, that the coal miner should be kept in New Zealand in occupation in the coal mines.

"The Defence Department has made it known, and so has the Minister of Munitions, that coal miners (and I mean by coal miners those who have had experience in the industry, and not the men who would take it up just to evade service) are doing just as important work in getting coal in New Zealand as going to the front. "They have therefore been discouraged from enlisting under the voluntary scheme, and most certainly they will be discouraged under compulsion, if that is brought in under the Act of last session. The Act will not eilow us to take them off the Reserve, so they must go into the ballot. If any true coal miner is balloted for, either he, or his employer, should make an appeal to the Military Service Board for exemption."

BACK FROM THE WAR, PASSENGERS BY THE ARAWA. Sergeant-major .Marshall and Sergeant Ashley England (Invercargill), who came out from England in the Arawa, arrived at Dunedin on the 6th, the former coming by the first express and Sergeant England by the second. Sergeant England, who was in the Otago Machino Gun Section, was shot four days after the famous landing at Gallipoli, the bullet entering on the left side of the jaw and cutting off all his lower teeth. He was taken to England, where he underwent several operations. A number of the Eighteenth Reinforcements, D Company, also arrived by the second express on their final leave. Dr Marshall Macdonald, who for the past year has occupied the position of medecin major with the French forces, returned to Dunedin on the 6th by the second express. Dr Macdonald came out from London as medical officer with the troops on the Arawa. SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS. In the course 01 an interview on Monday, 4th inst., the Hon. G. W. Russell gave to an Auckland Star representative some interesting facts relating to the invalided soldiers who have been treated in the dominion since July of last year. " 1 have obtained from the Public Health Department, as Minister in Charge of tne sick and wounded soldiers in the dominion, records regarding the result ot treatment in the various institutions controlled • by my Department,'' .he remarked. ''The total number of men who have passed through the hands of the de]:sartment from the time of the first shinmenc of returned soldiers from the Willoehra, on July 12. 1915, to August 31, 1916, was 1306. These men have been located in the different hospitals of the dominion, and on reaching convalescent stage, have been removed to Rotorua, Hanmer, Epsom, Taurnaru, Lowry Bay, etc. Out of this total of 1306 men who underwent treatment at these homes on their return to New Zealand, the total number who have died has been only 21. The first case of death at Rotorua, to vhich home a large body of men have been sent —as many as 150 being in occupation atone time —occurred a week or two ago, and was not the result of treatment hi the institution, but of a sudden recurrence of disease. I think this record is a noble one. and reflects the greatest credit on the medical superintendents, matrons, and staff of the hospitals of the dominion, and 1 desire to pay this tribute to them hi connection with the work respecting our sick and wounded soldier?," added the Minister. MEDICAL ATTENTION PROVIDED. Addressing the crowd in tho Octagon on Saturday night, the Hon. Mr Russell said: " I want it to be known by our returned men that if there is any recurrence of their illness or sickness, arrangements have been made by which, if they will apply to Dr Watt (public health officer in Dunedin) they will be at once sent, at the cost of tho Government, either to a hoispital or a convalescent home at Hanmer or, if necessary, at Rotorua, so that no man who has done his bit of service shall suffer as a result of want of medical attention. In every way New Zealand will do its duty to the men who have gone away and have suffered through serving in this war." The Minister's remark was greeted with warm applause. WAR PENSIONS. WELLINGTON, September 11. Tho total number of persons receiving relief under the War Pensions Act is 5748. and the annual expenditure is £184,000, or an average of £49 each. GRAVES OF THE FALLEN". HAMILTON, September 8. The graves of New Zealand soldiers in France are being marked with crosses similar to those which mark the graves of tho fallen in Egypt. A complete register of all graves is also being kept. This information is conveyed in a cablegram to the Hon. Mr Allen to-day from General Godley. BELGIAN RELIEF FUND. THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST. Previously acknowledged ... £26,710 1 11 Oturehua School children ... 0 18 6 Eotal £26,711 0 5 APPEAL FOR FURTHER CONTRIBUTIONS. At Monday's mooting of the Patriotic and General Welfare Association a letter

was read from the Hon. G. \V. Russell (Minister of Internal Affairs), stating the result of the Government inquiries as to the truth of cabled statements that foodstuffs could not be guaranteed to reach the Belgian population, and that no further contributions were required from New Zealand, with two pamphlets issued by the British National Committee for Relief in Belgium showing how necessary it was that contributions should bo continued, and also showing that food for the Belgian population did not get into German hands. The letter was received.

THE BOTTLE-GATHERING SCHEME. The Belgian Relief Fund Committee reported to the meeting of the executive of the Patriotic Committee yesterday as follows: —"After securing the approval of the Otago Education Board, tho committee set up to control the working of this scheme systematically canvassed the schools of tho town and suburbs, urging scholars to assist to as great an extent as possible by gathering together all unused bottles. The response was far beyond expectations, and on September 1, as a result of representations made by the committee, the schools were granted a half-holiday to enable tho children to make a final effort to raise the number collected to 100,000. However, so energetic have they been that the final number will not be far short of 200,000. About the middle of tho month it is hoped that the entire collection will be classified and packed ready for the auction sale, and as the commitiee has already been in communication with buyers throughout a wide area, there is every indication that the carrying out of the scheme will result in a very handsome contribution to the Belgian Fund from the school children of Otago."

WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION. A communication has been received from Lady Liverpool requesting that all the Christmas parcels for New Zealand soldiers be in Wellington before the end of September. This means that both September and October parcels have to be packed within the next three weeks. DOMINION GIFT PARCELS SCHEME. The Early Settlers' Hall is a scene of great activity. Members of the association attend daily to engage in work that makes for the provision of equipment or comforts for men at tho front, in Egypt, or elsewhere. At present tho ladies are busy with their share of tho dominion gift parcels scheme. Otago, Canterbury, Wellington, and Auckland have co-operated to send 22,000 gift parcels every month to Franco and 1800 parcels to Egypt. The quota from Otago and Southland is 5500 parcels for France and 450 parcels for Egypt. The local association is doing its utmost to see that its quotas are fully subscribed, and the general public is helping very materially. Each parcel contains goods of tho value of 2s 6d. There are four classes of parcels. No. 1 contains a tin of condensed milk, tin of potted meat, tin of health salts, and writing tablet, contained in a bag; No. 2 tin of sweets, tin of potted meat, packet of soup (will make 12 cups), and bottle of lemonade powder, contained in a handkerchief; No. 3 —tin of sweets, tin of meat, tin of condensed milk, and writing tablet, contained in a bag; No. 4 —tin of soup extract, bottle of lemonade powder, and tin of sweets, contained in a. handkerchief. A printed card is enclosed with each gift stating the name of the donor, or a card with these words: "Otago and Southland Women's Patriotic Association. With good wishes from the women of Otago and Southland."

These packets are being sent for general distribution among the New Zoalanders at tlK' front, in .France, and in Egypt. Twentyfive packets arc placed in a case, and every case is consigned to "Lord Plunket, New Zealand War Contingent Association, 11 Victoria, street, London," and to tho care of the High Commissioner for New Zealand, London. The association will be glad to receive benzine cases, or cases a little larger, in which to pack the parcels for London. The association will be pleased to receive magazines and books for the use of the soldiers on tho voyage. Next month all parcels will be of the value of ss. Every person who forwards 5s to the association will have the gratification of knowing that it represents a Christmas gift to a soldier at the front. SILVER THIMBLE EU^D. HELP FOR CRIPPLED SOLDIERS. Another avenue of usefulness has been opened in Otago for women. The " Silver Thimble Fund " is a Home institution, which in one year raised £7500 for the care of the sick and wounded. The scheme at present in hand is to provide £2OOO to assist disabled bluejackets and marines, and in order to raise this sum tho public are asked to contribute old silver thimbles, broken or worn silver trinkets, bracelets, brooches, chains, cigarette cases, coins, or any old oddments of silver or gold. Any articles of this description for tho benefit of the fund will be received at the_ Early Settlers' Hall, Uunedin. Contributions should be specially marked, " Silver Thimble Fund." The object of tho fund now sought for is approved by tho Admiralty, and the money will be administered by the Navy Employment Agency. Since the ''Silver Thimble Fund" was started at Home 14.000 thimbles have been collected, as well as a variety of other gold and silver trinkets, etc., which have been turned into hard cash. Every woman in tho land can co-operate in this excellent work, which has a twofold object. In addition to buying ambulances and the like, the gifts are melted into gold and silver, which finds its way into circulation throughout the country. The organisers have been told that this is not the least important part of their work. Tho Wanganui Branch of the Silver Thimble Fund is making good headway. There is every likelihood of the £?,000 now asked for by the Hpme League being realised. The money will bo put to an excellent use —helping disabled bluejackets and marines. The Navy Employment Agency reports that grants from the sum could be applied in such ways as training in motor driving, providing part of a stock-in-trade, grants towards furniture, or educational' grants for childen. In tho case_ of blind men who have leaned basket-making, and who require means to take up their new trade, a grant would be of untold valuo to the recipient. Old silver thimbles, gold or silver trinkets, or the like, can be sent to the Early Settlers' Hall, Lower High street, Dunodin.

THE RED CROSS SOCIETY. The executive has received the following list of goods which the officer-in-charge, Red Cross, Wellington, asks the Red Cross of Otago and Southland to provide for the reconditioning of the hospital ship Maraina: 2500 triangular bandages. 500 day socks. 375 day shirts. 250 service bags. 250 diet cloths. 250 surgical towels. 250 large tea towels. 250 mufflers. 250 balaclavas. 250 mittens. 125 draw sheets. All these goods are to be in "Wellington early in October. Tho committee fully realises that this is " a large order," and has to bo completed in a very short time; but, as usual, it relies with the utmost confidence on tho generosity of the people of Otago and Southland, and now appeals to them to help to fill the order. Donations of any of the_ above articles will be most gratefully received. The Red Cross stall on Saturday proved an unqualified success, £SO 3s 6d being paid into the funds as the result of the ladies' work. THE OVERSEAS CLUB. The members of the Overseas Club, at their rooms in Stuart street, are preparing two largo cases of clothing for tho Belgians, and a smaller case of goods for hospital use in France. These cases will bo sent away next week. The hundreds of articles they contain are cvidenee of much patient work on tho part of tho club. The club has received several rolls of flannel, and a start has been made to transform them into a variety of articles for use in hospitals in France. A consignment of clothing, etc., was recently forwarded to the dependents of Scottish sailors. TAIERI "WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION. The monthly meeting of the Taieri Women's Association was held on the sth. There was a large attendance. A statement of income and expenditure for the year ended August 31 was read by the treasurer (Miss Allan). The month's accounts were passed for payment, and it was decided to double the usual monthly donation of £lO, and to send £2O to tho Dominion Christmas Parcel Fund. The weekly sewing meetings have been well attended, and largo parcels of work forwarded each month to the Early Settlers' Hall and to the Red Cross Association, and parcels of clothing for Belgian relief. The president (Mrs Quclch) referred to tho successful work of the past year, and said she was quite sure members would continue to work in the same helpful spirit. WAITAHUNA RED CROSS SOCIETY. A branch of tho Red Cross Society was formed in Waitahuna in March, and monthly contributions are taken up from the ladies of the district, almost everyone assisting. Five hundred and fiftytwo articles have been sent to the Dunedin Red Cross Society, consisting of: 10 pairs pyjamas, 11 pairs underpants, 13 underflannols, 9 shirts, 93 pairs socks, 51 pairs bed socks, 1 nightingale, 66 face cloths, 13 service bags, 155 eye bandages, 13 wringers, 3 pairs cuffs, 10 fomentation cloths, 93 bandages. 6 body belts, 5 bottle covers, and a parcel of old linen and medicine cloths. The sum of £1 10s was sent in to procure meat essences for the Mesopotamia Hospital, and £3 for hospital necessaries. In response to the appeal for the Indian Hospital, £1 was donated CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR SOLDIERS. PATEAROA YOUNG LADIES. Tho young ladies of Patearoa held a very successful entertainment in aid of a fund for providing local soldiers on service with Christmas comforts. There were dances, songs, recitations, and refreshments. Admittance was by gift, and several stalls were filled with the goods donated. Everything sold freely, and £34 was cleared. PATRIOTIC HARE DRIVE. The final hare drive of the season, organised by the Kycburn and Kokonga Patriotic Committee, was held on August 24. About 14 guns were out. Although tho weather was anything but favourable 57 hares were bagged, making a total of 369 for the season. The hares were railed and frozen free of charge, to be sent Home for tho benefit of the wounded soldiers. The committee thanks all those who took part in the drives. Tho ladies of each ocntro provided refreshments for the shooters. Special thanks are due to Messrs Amies and Douglas, who went round with their carte, collected the hares, carted them to the railway, and consigned them free of charge. THE MILITARY SERVICE ACT DEMONSTRATION AT DANNEVIRKE. DANNEVIRKE, September 9. A striking demonstration was made last night in support of registration under the Military Service Act. The Recruiting Committee had proposed a parade of men in tho district, and tho local bodies, friendly societies, and military and civil organisations made an impressive procession. The town was crowded, and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. A striking feature of the procession was a largo group of fathers of boys at the front, led by Mr T. Whaler, a local bootmaker, with six sons at the front, and P. Ericson, with seven sons in uniform. The march was witnessed by tho Hon. W. H. Ilerrios, who subsequently addressed a public meeting in the Town Hall, explaining the necessity of enrolment and tho obligations under the Military Service Act. He stated that it was the Government's intention to carry out Ihe provisions of tho Act in their entirety, and he publicly thanked (on behalf of the Government) the recruiting committees for their wholehearted support of the Government. JOTTINGS. Cable advico from London, received in Dunedin last week, intimates that Lieutenant J. E. Hunt, of the staff of Wright, Stephenson, and Co. (Ltd.). has been granted a commission in tho Royal Flying Corps.

On the 2nd the Rev. Hector Maclean handed in his name at the lnvercargill recruiting office, and (says the Southland Times) will go forward as a private with tho next batch of reinforcements that leave for Trentham. Tho Whakatane Press states: "One of the latest volunteers for tho front is Jack Hardie, of Taneatua. Since tho war broke out fivo of his brothers have gone to serve their King and country, and all have fallen on tho field of battle.'' At the Caversham Lawn Tennis Club's annual meeting last week Mr W. Wright stated that out of a total of 18 male members- 10 had been accepted for active service—Messrs Simpson, Hill, Johnstone, Jenkins, M'Donald, Kerr, Mercier, Horn, Reid, and Paine. This is a creditable record for a club with a total membership of about 40.

Upon inquiry being made of Brigadier Sir Alfred Robin on Saturday, a New Zealand Times reporter was informed that tho general had had no intimation of his being called to the front. Sir Alfred is anxious to go, but from latest advices the army is not at present in need of highergrade officers in the firing line. The Rev. D. 13. Ashcroft, formerly of Masterton, but now of Tenui, went into camp on the 4th as a chaplain, and will leave with the 17th Reinforotments. Br Clune, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth, left there last month to take the position of chaplain-general of the Australian Catholio forces at the front, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. .

It was cabled recently that Les Darcy, the Australian boxer, had enlisted. Apparently tho report was premature, for Darcy is under age and his mother objects to his enlistment. In. the meantime, Mr R. L. Baker, of the Stadium, who was rejectee! a few days ago as medically unlit for active service (as the result of a motor accident), has notified Darcy that when his present contract has expired, will not be re-engaged to appear at the Stadium. "Some interesting information has just come to hand in regard to the hospital ship Mahcno," said the Hon. James Allen. Minister of Defence, at Auckland the other night (reports the T\ew Zealand Herald). " During the period from July 8 to August 25, I em informed that the vessel carried no fewer than 4455 sick and wounded soldiers from France to England." Mr G. A. Robbie, head master of tho Patea District High School, who left for the front last year as quartermaster-ser-geant in the Bth" Reinforcements, has been recommended for a commission in the Imperial Army, and is at present in camp near Salisbury Plain. Prior to this he was acting as gas specialist to his company in Flanders, lecturing to the N.0.0.S on the best means of combating gas attacks. An interesting example of a family's desire to do its best in the war is furnished in Hokitika (says tho West Coast rimes). No fewer than four of tho sons of Mr C. Toohey, of Sewoll-street, are taking their part in serving the Empire. One r-on is already in France, and three are at Trentham. One of the sons was formerly manager of the Rauinati cheese factory, and although 'ie hail been exempted from service ho was determined to enlist, but. owing to tho groat difficulty in getting a suitable' man to take charge, ho was compelled to stay behind. Now. however, lie has taught" his aunt (Mrs E. E. the secret of cheese making, and the directors of the company have appointed her to his position, ar.cl he is able to go into camp. Another son resigned a good position in Westport in order to go to Hokitika to manage his brother's business during the l.'itter'c absence on aetiv? service.

A Westport resident has received a letter from a soldier friend in Fiance, describing a sad incident. In an interval between trench work a party of musicians ha<l formed a brass band. Five of the men were practising- when a German shell lodged on the building-, killing three outright.

Word has been received by Mr W. T. Nelson, of Napier (says the Hawke's Bay Herald), that his second son (Mr David Nelson) has been promoted to lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. If certain persons in the community saw a list of names in the possession of the Canterbury District Headquarters offic9 they might receive a shock (says the Christchurch Press). For some time past the Defence authorities have been securing the names of members of families who have not responded to the call to arms, and against whom it is intended at an early date to put into force the compulsory clauses of the Military Service Act. Very few, if any, of the families concerned have been overlooked in the Canterbury Military District, and it now only remains for the word to be received from Wellington to set the law in morion. Flight-lieutenant Howard Ellis, of Auckland, recently reported missing, having landed in the enemy's lines, has cabled his father (Mr H. J. Ellis, of New Lynn) that he is a prisoner in Germany, wounded in the leg- and cheek, but otherwise doing well. Lieutenant Harold Butterworth, of Auckland, who was killed whilst flying in France on July 15 was within three days of his twenty-first birthday when he met his death. The death is reported from tne sanatorium at Palmereton of Driver James Lyall, youngest son of Mr John Petrie Lyall and the late Mrs Lyall, of Stirling. He was 22 years of ago and was a member of the" 2nd Reinforcements, having enlisted as a driver in the artillery section. Educated at the Stirling and Balclutha District High Schools, he later joined the staff of the New Zealand Railways as a porter, and was for some time stationed at Balclutha. Prior to enlisting he was engaged at the Benhar Tottery Works. The deceased will be accorded a military funeral to-day. . The Hawke's Bay Herald says that special efforts are being made by the Kahungunu tribe, from Wanoa, the very cradle of the Maori race, to raise a complete company for the front. The Carrolls and Ormonds have enlisted, and these will draw in many others. The Kahungunu have never been beaten in battle, and the leading men hope, by the end of shearing, to raise 100 men. At the parishioners' meeting of the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Christchurch, on Thursday night, Mrs Chilton mentioned that she had ' received a letter from her son, who (reports the Press) was at the time of writing a prisoner at Ruhlcben internment camp in Germany, stating that a Y.M.C.A. institution capable of accommodating 500 men had been opened there, and was a tremendous .blessing to the prisoners. Mrs Chilton remarked that it spoke volumes for the work of the Y.M.C.A. that it could penetrate even a German internment camp.