THE EMPIRE'S CALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3325, 5 December 1917, Page 43

THE EMPIRE'S CALL.

HEW ZEALAND'S RESPONSE " CLASS A." THE NEW ZEALAND DIVISION. An officer of the New Zealand Med'oal Corps, writing from "Somewhere in France," after a transference to new quarters, writes: —"There is not much to tell you about here, because we are living scattered all over the place in villages, chateaux, farms, etc. We are away from all sources of information except wireless and newspapers, which we often don't get, and which may be a day or two late. Wo are resting, as it were, taking no active part, but I suppose they will have us back at it presently. Divisions are classified according to past record and * efficiency into A, B, O, D, etc. There are only three in class A —the Guards, New Zealanders, and some Munster division. That should make you proud. They have always taken their objective, and always hung on to what they have taken." NEW ZEALAND DIVISION. STRENGTH TO BE MAINTAINED. FOURTH BRIGADE DRAWN ON. WELLINGTON, November 30. The Defence Minister announced tfcis afternoon that information had been received that the Fourth ' Infantry Brigade will be drawn upon in order to supply reinforcements for the New Zealand Division Owing to this, it will be possible to maintain the New Zealand Division for some time at its established strength with a somewhat smaller quota of reinforcements than is at present being despatched. Continuation of this reduction in future will depend on circumstances, especially the rate of wastage. The quota has varied from time to time as advice has been received from the Army Council. The policy of the New Zealand Government has been to keep the division at its full fighting strength, and this policy will be continued. SOLDIERS' DRESS. UNPOPULAR REGULATIONS. WELLINGTON, December 1. Messrs Young and Anderson, M.P.'s, waited on the Minister of Defence to-day, and stated that soldiers had strongly complained of the new dress regulations. Some men positively stated that they would not go home to bo laughted at as " silly guys." After discussion, Sir James Allen said he would consult with General Robin as to whether the regulations could be relaxed with regard to men on A NEW BRIGADIER. The command of the 3rd Rifle Brigade, which fell vacant through the death in action of Brigadier-general F. E. Johnston, C. 8., has been conferred upon Lieutenantcolonel R. Young, C.M.G., D. 5.0., of the Canterbury Regiment, who is granted the temporary rank of brigadier-general. MILITARY CROSS WINNER. The following is an extract from The Times of August 18: "Among the winners of the Military Cross is Captain W. Aitken, N.Z.M.C. He repeatedly took his. bearers through heavy hostile barrage, clearing aid posts and searching shell holes for wounded. His gallantry and coolness under fire was of the ighest order, and a splendid example to his men." Captain Aitken is the eldest son of Mr Peter Aitken, Paerau, and was educated at the Dunedin High School and the Otago University. He was promoted to . major in August last, and ia now at Wal-ton-on-Thames. -~- GALLANTRY REWARDED. FOR NEW ZEALANDERS. _ The services for which the under-men-tioned members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force were awarded military decorations are thus described in a War Office notification in the London Gazette of September 17: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER. Major Charles Hellier Davis Evans (Infantry).—For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a party which had to prepare a cavalry track. He reorganised his men when scattered by heavy shellfxre and continued to supervise the work, which, by his fine personal example, was rapidly completed under heavy fire, and proved subsequently invaluable to the success of our operations. BAR TO THE M.C. Lieutenant Alexander George Melles, M.C. (Infantry).—For gallantry and devotion to duty in leading his platoon in hand-to-hand fighting in a village. Though the supports which were expected failed to appear, he carried out his task (that of n fighting patrol) unaided, exercising _ admirable control over his men, and setting a fine example of personal gallantry. (M.C. gazetted August 16, 1917.) THE MILITARY CROSS. Second Lieutenant Norman Fen wick Little (Infantry).—For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading his platoon. Though he had a very short time in which to make his arrangements, his coolness and quick grasp of the situation enabled him to carry out his allotted task with efficiency and complete success. He maintained excellent control over his men, and set them a very fine example of courage and leadership. He personally killed several of the enemy, and obtained identifications. Captain Henry Dolphus M'Hugh (Cycle Corps).—When constructing a track he completed his work with the utmost efficiency and thoroughness, afterwards giving valuabel assistance to another officer. His exceptional coolness under fire set a splendid example to the whole of his battalion. Second Lieutenant Cuthbert Hargreaves Taylor (Infantry).—He led his patrol with exceptional ability, and completed the task entrusted to him with thoroughness and rapidity. He has on all occasions ehown himself to be a fine leader of men, and by his coolness and vigorous energy has set a splendid example to his platoon, especially

at times when casualties were heavy and their task a difficult one. Second Lieutenant Thomas Lindsay Ward (Infantry).—With a comrade ho crossed a river by a damaged enemy pontoon, entered a village occupied by the enemy, reconnoitred it, and thon entered an enemy dug-out, where he captured three prisoners and brought them back to our lines. The same night he led a patrol along the river bank and brought back a valuable report upon the state of the bridges. The extreme fearlessness and initiative which ho displayed during both of these operations were responsible for much valuable information being obtained. . Lieutenant Edwin Royden Wells (Mounted Rifles). —For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading his party through heavy shellfire in an attempt to gain information. Finding it impossible to take his men further owing to machine gun fire, ho went forward alone, gaining valuable and definite information, and, by his fine leadership and good judgment, finally withdrawing his troop with very few casualties.

A long list of awards for gallantry and distinguished service in the field, announced in the London Gazette of September 26, includes the name of Second Lieutenant K. R Park, R.F.A. and R.F.C., to whom the Military Cross was awarded. Lieutenant Park, who is a son of Professor Park, of the Univ «sity of Otago, left New Zealand as a memoer 'of the Artillery service in the Expeditionary Force, and participated m the fighting at Gallipoli, where ho secured a transfer, with a commission, to the Royal Field Artillery. Subsequently he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. INCREASED PENSIONS WAR. INFORMATION FOR PENSIONERS. . WELLINGTON, November 27. After the beginning of January the increased pension rates authorised by the War Pensions Act of last session will be payable to soldiers and their dependents, and the board has been considering how it shall proceed to bring the new scale into operation as applying to those persons already in receipt of pensions under the old scale. The Pensions Board has decided to increase automatically, without application by the pensioner, with the first instalment falling due after January 1, all pensions in force on that date which are payable to totally disabled soldiers or to of deceased soldiers, arid also those pensions payable to widowed mothers as prescribed by a special section of the Act. Under this section widowed mothers, if they have proved'* partial dependence on a deceased soldier, are entitled to a pension equal to half the amount that might be drawn by a widow of the soldier without children. Pensioners who wish to take advantage of the provisions of the Act by which allowances may be made to soldiers or to widows who can show to the board that their pensions are not sufficient to maintain them im their accustomed standard of comfort must make application to the board, and their case will bo considered. It has probably been assumed by pensioners in receipt of less than the full pension of their rank that, in view of the fact that the pensions for total disablement have been raised, pensions for partial disablement may be raised in a proportionate degree. This may not always be the case. In actual practice the board has been granting to these partially disabled men rather more liberal amounts than those to which they would have been entitled under the scale. Men entitled to a quarter pension have been granted 10s a week, half-pension men have been regularly given £1 a week, and three-quarter pension men 30s a week, and these are the rates to which they will be entitled under the new scale when it comes into operation. It is therefore improbable that there will be any general raising of the rates of pensions to partially disabled men. They will all ~be free to make application to the board for extra pension if they are in a position to show that with pension and earnings they are unable to make as muoh money as they were able to earn before they were disabled. This application will involve a rehearing of their application, and if they are under hardship the board will have an opportunity of correcting any previous injustice should such be found to exist. THE TRAINING CAMPS. APPLICATIONS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE. CAMP COMMANDANTS TO DEAL WITH CERTAIN CASES. On Monday the Hon. Sir James f . Allen (Minister of Defence) informed a representative of the Otago Daily Times that the question of leave for men in camp .had been under the consideration of the defence authorities recently, and it had been decided to issue the following statement: — The withdrawal of men from the Expeditionary Force training camps has assumed such dimensions as to prejudicially affect the training of the men and the efficiency and due despatch of reinforcement drafts. This trouble is accentuated by the fact that the great majority of applications are from soldiers whose training is almost complete and who are upon the eve of embarkation. It cannot bo too clearly understood and emphasised that once a man has entered into camp his-course of training,should not be disturbed at any timo unless for the most grave and urgent reasons. His training is undertaken in the shortest possible timo, and is based upon a definite syllabus, the omission of any part of which renders the individual, and consequently his company, less efficient than they might have been. It follows therefore that training should not be interfered with at any stage. Every reservist called up for sorvioo has the right to appeal for exemption on any of the grounds laid down in the Military Service Act. His necessities should bo thoroughly investigated by tho Military Service Board before"he goes into camp, and not left for consideration after he has commenced his training. This question of leave from camps has been recently under consideration, and it has been decided that applications by soldiers for leave up to 14 days will be dealt with by the camp commandants in camp, and that applications for leave for over 14 days will be referred by the camp authorities to tho Third Wellington Military Service Board for decision. Many cases have arisen where men or their wives have applied for leave on account of approaching confinements. The recent conference of chairmen of Military Service Boards has affirmed the following as tho principle on which they will act if such cases are brought before them: If tho confinement is duo while tho soldier ia undergoing training he may be granted 14 days' .leave, with

1 pay, for the event; if tho confinement is ciuo within two months of tho date of departure of his reinforcement _ he will be detained in the dominion until after tho, event, and may be granted 14 days' leave, with pay, for it. As oases will bo treated on this definite principlcj it is considered unnecessary to refer applications of this kind to tho Military Service Board. Tho Camp Commandant will deal with these cases, and will act in conformity with this principle upon medical evidence, which must bo submitted in support of each case. Applications are of tho following- categories:—(a) Application from a man himself in camp. This application must bo made only on a form provided in camp, and must be transmitted through tho camp authorities to the Service j Board. Tho board will not consider any application through any other channel whatsoever. No application from a soldier intho Thirty-third Reinforcements will be received after' December 10. (b) Application from employer. Only tho public interest can justify the release of a soldier from camp at the request of an employer, whether farmer, manufacturer, or otherwise. Recent events havo shown unmistakeably that the great majority of applications are by or on behalf of men engaged in tho agricultural and pastoral industries. It can bo taken lor granted that the necessity for applications must be made two clear months before the soldier's training commences. It" is proposed to publish from time to time the last day on which applications will bo received in respect of soldiers in particular reinforcements. An exception is being made in respect of tho Thirty-third Reinforcements. Applications for .soldiers in this draft will not be considered if received later than December 10. It is quite anticipated that at any time before tho sailing of a draft urgent cases may arise by reason of sudden emergency, such as death, serious.illness, or some other cause which could not havo been foreseen. These emergency cases will bo received at anv time, and. if urgency is established, will be considered. SOLDIERS SENTENCED. In Trentham Camp ruders it ; s announced that four soldiers, having been found guilty by district court-martial of disobeying the lawful commands of their superior officers, havo been sentenced to two years' imprisonment with, hard labour. Tho names of the men so sentenced are. — Private S. F. Fountain, Trentham Details. Private E. T. Drumm, Trentham Details. Private J.. Metcalfe, Army Service Corps, Trentham Camp. Private A. May, Trentham Details. The following "sentences were also announced.— Private R. Mullen, Trentham Details (F Company, 30th Reinforcements), found guilty of deserting his Majesty's service. Sentenced to 84 days' detei.tion. Sentence confirmed, but mitigated so that 'if tho accused embarks for active service beyond New Zealand before the expiration of his sentence, then tho sentence of detention shall expire on the date of arrival at the oversea base of the Expeditionary Force to which ho is posted, and his record shall be endorsed accordingly. Private W. A. M'Gill, Trentham Details (E Company, 23rd Reinforcements), found guilty of deserting- his Majesty's service, and losing by neglect his equipment, clothing, and regimental necessaries. Sentenced to imprisonment with ha.vl labour for 11 months, and to stoppages of pay for deficiencies amountina- to ■&& 18s 6d. Sentenr-o confirmed, but mitigated so that, if tho -accused shall embark for activo service outside New Zealand before the expiration of his sentence, then tho sentence of imprisonment shall expire on the date of his arrival at oversea base of the Expeditionary Force to which ho is posted, and his records will bo endorsed accordingly. For disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer, Private Philip Murray has been sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour for 11 months. FOUR MEN GET TWO YEARSF HARD LABOUR. In Trentham Camp orders it is announced that four soldiers having _ been found guilty by District Court-martial of disobeying lawful commands given by their superior officers have been sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour for two years. The names of the men so sentenced are as under: Private A. E. Johns, Trentham Details. Private B. A. Allely, Trentham Details. Private 'A. C, N. M'lntyre, Trentham Details. Private H. R. Gray, Trentham Details. Private J. Jackson, Trentham Details (E Company, 30th Reinforcements), found guilty of deserting his Majesty's service, has been sentenced to 56 days' detention. The sentence has been mitigated so that if the prisoner embarks for active service outside New Zealand before the expiration of the sentence of detention, then the unexpired poi-tion shall bo remitted on the day after the date of embarkation, and his record shall be endorsed accordingly. TWO YEARS' IMPRISONMENT. AUCKLAND, November 29. Private Harold Wright, who was Mound guilty by court-martial on November 16 of disobeying a lawful command by failing to undergo medical examination, has been sentenced to two years' hard labour. SERVICE ON GALLIPOLI. PROPOSED SPECIAL DECORATION. COMPLAINT OF UNFAIRNESS. (Fbom OtJB Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, December 3. There is very little enthusiasm among returned eoldicrs about the proposal to. issue a special star and riband for tho Gallipoli campaign. The conditions are manifestly unfair, and it would bo impossible 'to make conditions which would not be unfair unless the star were to bo given to everybody who ever bore arms on Gallipoli. If it is to bo given only to those who sailed from this country before the end of 1914, the only men eligible for tho decoration will be those of the Main Body and of the Ist and 2nd Reinforcements. The 3rd Reinforcements left early in 1915, and arrived when preparations for tho expedition from Egvpt'wcre under way. A few of the 3rd Reinforcements actually took part in the landing on April 25. It may cxcludo also the men who went to Samoa and who, on 'their return from Samoa, without getting out of uniform went to Gallipoli as soon as they were allowed. Most of these men

went with the sth Reinforcements. They volunteered for service first of all in New Zealand without knowing anything at all about where they were going, and they wont forward to Gallipoli to land there at a time when some of the most serious fighting of the campaign was in progress. These men actually sailed from New' Zealand for war service long before the end of 1914, but did not see any fighting until some considerable time after the landing of the British and colonial troops on Gallipoli. There are manifest objections to the granting of special ribands or clasps for different theatres of this war, which has been so very much longer and more extensive than any other w T ar Tn experience. - BELGIAN BELIEF. M. Pollct, Consul-general for Belgium in London, has written in the following terms to the secretary of the Otago Patriotic Association:—“l have the honour to inform you that I have received through our Belgian Consul in Dunedin (Mr G. L. Dcnniston) the sum of £SOO, which I understand is the amodnt your association have so very kindly allotted to the Belgian Orphan Ftind. This magnificent donation on behalf of our unfortunate Belgian* war orphans has been greatly appreciated, and in their name I wish to tender you and all those who have contributed to this splendid gift the expression of my deep gratitude. The generosity of the New Zealanders towards my suffering countrymen has greatly touched me, and their continued efforts on their behalf will never be forgotten.” OVERSEAS GLEB. A very busy week has again been spent in the Club’s workroom, and members have worked hard to send away as many garments as possible before the room closes on Friday, December 7, for the Christmas vacation. Members and friends wishing to knit for our soldiers during the holidays may obtain wool on application at the club room. Petrol cases _ are urgently needed, as the packing committee is anxious to send away all soldiers’ comforts as soon as possible. JOTTINGS. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. Sir James Allen) informed a New Zealand Times representative on the 27th that letters to hand by the recent mail showed that the men of the Main Body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force received very well indeed the news that they could notbe allow'ed to return to the dominion on furlough. They were very disappointed, of course, but they had settled down all right. The raffle for the doll's house presented to the Anzac Soldiers' Club by Messrs Burton Bros., was drawn at the Anzac Soldiers’ Club in the presence of the Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark) and a representative of the police and the members of the Anzac Club Committee. B. Brpwn, 28 Franklin street, Dalmore, proved to be the winner w'ith ticket 3111. , Dr Allan G. Reid, M.C., formerly of Milton, has relinquished his commission after a year’s service with the R.A.M.O. Dr Reid, who is a son of Mr James Reid, formerly rector of the Tokomairiro High School, was awarded the Military Cross for service in the field with the R.N. Division at. the battle of the Ancre. He received his decoration from the King at Buckingham Palace this’week. Dr Reid has now returned to his practice in East London. A GREAT SUCCESS. RAROTONGANS IN PALESTINE. “The Rarotongans,” stated the Hon. Sir James Allen (Minister of Defence) to a New Zealand Times representative on Tuesday, “have nroved very satisfactory. Some 200 of them ’left Now Zealand -in one section some months ago. They have been used in Palestine on the line of communications, and the officer in command writes that they have satisfied everyone, and have never once been found wanting in the very heavy work they have been called upon to do. Generally, their health has been very good. For discipline, general behaviour. and clean living their reputation is excellent. ‘Wo have had to turn out t§ all hours of the night,’ states the officer, ‘ and I cannot speak too highly of the cheerful manner these hoys come to their work, and they carry enormous loads,-’ So far as I can judge,” said Sir James Allen, “they are a great success, and they want more of them. The officer adds: ‘At the present moment’ it is night, and a most unpleasant dust storm is raging, yet in their bivouacs they are singing away as happily as schoolboys; and they are always thus.” AUSTRALIA’S LOSSES. ANZACS’ DESPERATE VALOUR. ONLY 2.5 PER CENT. PRISONERS. According to the official return issued by the Federal Defence Department, 117,284 members of the Australian Imperial Forces arc out of action. The details provide melancholy reading, yet the nature of the list must fill Australians with pride. For example, of ‘all that great number of those who have suffered that their country and the Empire may bo free, only 2.5 per cent, have yielded themselves as prisoners Here is the whole list reduced to percentages : _

In these numbers ail classes—officers, other ranks, chaplains, and nurses—are taken together. Jn the military hierarchy they differ, but they rank alike in the affection of their fellow-Australians. The enormous percentage of the dead to the wounded is one of the most striking elements in the return, and shows the desperate valour with which the Australian soldier fights. Where three have made the, last sacrifice, four have boon wounded in action. Sickness 'has claimed many. Against the insanitary conditions of Gallipoli the_ preventive measures taken proved unavailing, and what in other days would have been considered whole armies foil victims to disease. Even now 25,963 men, or 22 per cent of the whole casualty list, aro disabled by sickness.

Total Percentage of total. Dead ... 36,369 31.0 Wounded ... 50,155 42.9 Missing ... 1,610 1.4 Sick ... 25.963 22.2 Prisoners ... 2.933 2.5