THE EMPIRE'S CALL

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 45

THE EMPIRE'S CALL

HEW ZEALAND'S RESPONSE

NEW ZEALAND'S PART

ALL PLEDGES KEPT. (From Oub Own Cobbespondent.) THAMES, December 13

'•'lt has been suggested in connection •with our visit to England that the Finance Minister and myself made promises to the Home Government that are somewhat difficult to fulfil," said the Prime Minister at Ngatea to-day, "but I do not think that is the case. What wo promised was that New Zealand would do its full share in regard to the war, and that promise has been and is being honoured to the very letter so far as reinforcements and supplies .are concerned. No one can even hint that we have failed in the slightest. Today we. are not a single man behind in the reinforcements promised to the Imperial Government.—(Applause.) The Imperial Government, recognising what New Zealand has done, has notified us without any pressure'on-our part that for the future cur reinforcements will be very considerably reduced. That has been done as a recognition of the splendid position that New Zealand has taken up throughout the war." PESSIMISM DEPRECATED. SPEECH BY LORD LIVERPOOL. WANGANUI, December 14. "Something was recently said to the effect that we were very near disaster," said Lord Liverpool at the annual prizegiving at the Wanganui Collegiate School to-night, in referring to the war. ; "If that statement was correctly reported," his Excellency added, "all I can say is that the Government of New Zealand knows nothing about it. Our worst enemy is tho class of gentleman who seems to delight in being as pessimistic as he possibly can. There are many people who can play cricket from the pavilion and imagine they could captain the side better. If we want to win this war we must implicitly trust somebody. If not, we would soon be in the condition of Russia to-day. The people should not take a pessimistic view, because ■wo are bound to have ups and downs, just as we had in the Peninsular war,_ when Moore retreated to Corunna, and in the Boer war, when we had Colenso. LEAVE FROM CAMP. ADVICE TO APPLICANTS. WELLINGTON, December 14. In conformity with the new regulations issued some days ago regarding the granting of temporary leave from training camps, it is announced that 'the latest date upon which applications can be lodged by an employer, whether farmer, manufacturer, or any other variety, with respect to soldiers in camp belonging to the 34th and 35th Reinforcements, is January 7 next. No application sent in later than that date will be considered unless it is shown that the case is one of an emergency that could not have been foreseen. FOURTH BRIGADE. AT THE THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES. GENERAL GODLEY'S PRAISE. The splendid work done by the New Zealand Ist and 4th Brigades at the third battle of Ypres is specially mentioned-in adespateh which the Minister of Defence (the Hon. Sir J. Allen) has received from General Godley, dated October .7. The general officer commanding the New Zealand Expeditionary Force says: "At 'the battle of October 4 the New Zealand Division was on the left of my attack, with the same Australian Division on its right as at the battle of Messines. They took Gravenstafel and Abraham Heights, and had a wider front and very nearly as far to go as anybody, and, as usual, did it excellently. They took over 1000 prisoners, and I am glad to say that the casualties are much lighter than they have ever been before; and, in fact, are not very .much more than the number of prisoners taken. The brigades which carried out the attack were the 4th and the Ist, in the order named, from right to left. " The 4th did most excellently, and they have absolutely proved 'themselves fit to rank with the other brigades of the division. "The Ist Brigade added anothc&page to its record of .-the lauding at Gallfpoli, the battl© of Krithia, the battle of Sari Bair, the evacuation of the peninsula, the battle of the Somme, and the battle of Messines. ."The fighting is gradually becoming of a much more open character, and there is no doubt that the Boche is becoming very demoralised, and if the weather will only hold up for a bit longer, and we can deliver a few more blows before the winter sets in. .it will go a very long way towards the end. " The best sign of all was the demoralisation not only of the troops, but of the enemy's commanders and staffs. Units were chucked into the attack anyhow, obviously without proper preparation or method or orders, and on our front alone we took prisoners of a very large number of German divisions. Their artilWy retaliation, though severe, was very desultory and unmethodical and irregular. "The rifle has quite come back to its own again, and all the counter-attacks thatgot through our artillery barrage were repulsed bv rifle fire, and bombing was practically nil "The whole of the battlefield of our successive advances is covered with dead Huns, and there is no doubt that a very large number have been Killed since the beginning of this third battle of Ypres. "I have just agreed to the Pioneer Battalion being named primarily ' The Maori Battalion,' oncl to their having back the original badge of the original Maori Contingent, which was altered when tho Pioneer T>attalioi] was first formed, and it was neces.-.ary to introduce a number of pakehas Into it. This should entirely satisfy tho Maori sen'timont."

SOLDIER SETTLEMENTS. VISIT BY PRIME MINISTER. HAMILTON, December 11. The Prime Minister, Mr H. M. Skcet (Commissioner of Crown Lands), Mr J. D. Ritchie (Chairman of tho Land Purchase Board), Mr J. B. Thompson (Lund Drainage Engineer), and Mr J. A. Young. M.P., inspected tho Reynolds Soldiers' Settlement yesterdav. and promised to help four dissatisfied "soldiers to obtain other sections if they surrendered the present was" decided to inspect a property near Cambridge and Pukemuri for soldier?. The party inspected tho Maratai lands, being impressed with tho settlement. SOLDIERS' ALLOWANCES. WELLINGTON, December 12. The executive of the Returned Soldiers' Association has passed the following resolution:—" That the executive is of opinion that the allowances based on the new scale to come into operation on January 1 should be made retrospective to the date of the soldier's enlistment to the wives and children of all married soldiers, whether they are still on active service or discharged. SOLDIERS RETURN HOME. ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND. Six sick and wounded • members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force arrived in Auckland on the 6th after lengthy periods of service abroad. None of the men is seriously incapacitated. The names and addresses of the men are : Boarclman, Private F. 11., Oaonui, Taranaki. Brighton, Private J., Nightcaps, Invercargill. Chamberlain, Private C. T.-, Wellington. Ellison, Private C. E., Lyall Bay, Wellington. 1« ields, Private. C. P., Dunedin. Ham's, Private P. F., Tepapa. In addition to the above, Captain J. C. Simpson, R.A.M.C. of Westport, and Sergeant J. Parker, of Hastings, who have just concluded two years' service with the Imperial Force, also arrived. Captain Simpson and Sergeant Parker have both received their discharge, and have returned to take up their residence in the dominion. PARCELS FOR SOLDIERS. TRANSMISSION OF SUGAR AND MILK. INVERCARGILL, December 13. Sir J. G. Ward announces, as regards tho enclosing of sugar to soldiers, that sugar may only be sent in parcels. Being of saleable value, sugar may not be sent by sample post; to send it by sample post will expose the package containing it to the risk of non-delivery to the addressee. Sir Joseph Ward announces that as, tho result of his negotiations with the Imperial Post Office, tins of condensed milk for soldiers cannot be allowed to pass at the sample rate of postage—4d per lb. Persons wishing to despatch condensed milk must see that it is properly packed in absorbent material, so as to offer no damage to mails, and must pre-pay it at a minimum rate of Is as for a 31b parcel. NEW MESOPOTAMIAN COMMANDER. Lieutenant-general Sir William Raino Marshall, who has been appointed commander of the British forces in Mesopotamia, in succession to the late General Sir Stanley Maude, commanded a division at the evacuation of Suvla, under General Sir W. R. Birdwood, commander of the Australian Imperial Force. GERMAN ARCHIVES. WELLINGTON, December 15. The Hon. G. W. Russell states that some time ago the Government received instructions from the Imperial authorities that German archives discovered in New Zealand were to bo handed over to the Swiss Consul at Auckland. That gentleman, however, strongly objected to be made the depository of the archives, and it has therefore been determined to hand them over to the Public Trustee, to be sealed until after the war. OPHIR-OMAKAU PATRIOTIC GUILD. The above guild has sent to the Early Settlers' Hall the following articles:—24 shirts, 105 dominion wrappers, 123 handkerchiefs, 11 pairs socks, 4 balaclavas. 1 pair •mittens, and an autograph quilt. The committee wishes to thank all those who have helped in any way towards the success of the guild. At the Omakau Show in November £5 Is was collected. OVERSEAS CLUB, OAMARU. - The donations forwarded to the Settlers' Hall during September, October, November, and December have been articles of equipment, consisting of: 144 pairs handknitted socks, 132 pairs mittens, 133 balaclavas, 144 service bags, 144 scarves, and 144 handkerchiefs. Dominion parcels: Goods valued at £9O, consisting of 112 pairs socks, 180 handkerchiefs. 4 cases of tinned marmalade. 2304 tins of milk, etc., and a subscription of £1 for the Wellington Soldiers' Club. MIDDLEMARCH PATRIOTIC SOCIETY. On the Bth the Middlemarch Women's Patriotic Branch held its final meeting for the year. Tho executive extends sincere thanks'to those whose regular contributions of sewing and knitting have helped our boys. The takings of the recent bazaar amounted to £240. In response to an appeal from the Otago Women's Patriotic Society for a contribution towards tho Dominion Parcels' Gift Fund, the branch voted £4O. ALL ANTON RED CROSS. Tho following is a list of goods sent in by the Allanton Red Cross: —SO service bags, 2 suits pyjamas, 7 shirts, 186 swabs, 3 dressing gowns, 3 pairs sooks, 2 pairs bed socks, 12 pairs mittens. 3 handkerchiefs, 3 towels. The school children sent in 11 face cloths and 3 eye bandages. ITALIAN RED CROSS. A successful concert, bazaar, and art union have just been concluded at Port Chalmers in aid of the abovo fund. The Italian residents, assisted by the local Patriotic Society, with Miss Schnack as organiser and Mr G. Booth at secretary, are to

be congratulated on the result achieved, £250 being raised. The thanks of the committee are due to those who donated prizes and otherwise assisted. PORTOBELLO PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION. The Portobello Women's Patriotic Association brought a very successful year's work to a conclusion at the last meeting. when it closed down till the first Wednesday in February. A parcel of work was forwarded to the Early Settlers' Hall. A parcel from the school children contained 11 face cloths, 10 handkerchiefs, 5 pairs mittens, 17 cinnamon bags, 6 button bags, 2 pairs socks, 1 housewife, and 3 girdles. EAST TAIEEI PATRIOTIC BAND. The last meeting for the year of the East Taieri Patriotic Society was held on the 12th. - The meetings will bo resumed in .February. The thanks of the band are due to the children of Riocarton, who gave the money they collected on Guy Fawkes Day (8s 6d) to be used for Red Cross work, and to Mrs Munro for £1 4s 6d collected at a social given by her to her pupils and choir. Upon the announcement by the secretary of the surrender of Jerusalem those present rose and sang the Doxology. JOTTINGS. William Watt, late of Manor place. Dunedin, writes to us from Sydney to deny the statement made, he says, by a woman in the Police Court that he was killed in action while serving as a member of the Australian Imperial Forces. The monthly meeting of the Goodwood and Flag Swamp Red Cross Guild was held on the sth inst., when several parcels of finished work were handed in. For the year ended September, 238 garments- were made and £45 I2<s 3d was received in donations. The. guild has lost all its original members. with the exception of four, by removal from the district, and is in want of more workers. COURTS-MARTIAL. SENTENCES OF TWO YEARS' HARD LABOUR. The sentences passed on six soldiers for offences against military law, by courts-mar-tial held at Trentham on November 27 and 80 and December 4, have been confirmed as follow: Private J. R. Olley, Treniljam Details; found guilty of disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer, to imprisonment with hard labour for two years. Private J. F. Paterson. Trentham Details; found guilty of disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer, to imprisonment with hard labour for two years. Private J. Saunders, Trentham Details; found guilty of disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer, to imprisonment with hard labour for two years. Private L. J. Woods, Trentham, Details; found guilty of disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer, to imprisonment with hard labour for two years. Private J. S. Morris, Trentham Details; found guilty of disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer, to imprisonment with hard labour for two years. Private F. A. Maeßae-, Trentham Details; found guilty of disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer, to imprisonment without hard labour for two years. Private G. S. Carter, Trentham Details (late 32nd Reinforcements), found guilty of, when on active service, deserting his Majesty's service, was sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour for two years. The sentence has been mitigated, so that, if the accused embarks for active service outside New Zealand before the expiration of .his sentence, then upon arrival at the overseas base of the unit to which he is attached the unexpired portion of his sentence (if any) shall be remitted, and his records shall be endorsed accordingly. For similar offences Private H. W. Lyman, Details (late 32nd Reinforcements) and Private D. K. Houston, Trentham Details (late 31st Reinforcements) were sentenced to imprisonment, with hard labour, for six months, and Private T. Smith, Trentham Details (late 32nd Reinforcements), and Private P. Toohey, Trentham Details (late 32nd Reinforcements) to imprisonment, with hard labour, for 112 days. In each of these four cases the sentence has been mitigated in the same manner as in Carter's case. Private W. E. Qualtrough, Trentham Details (late 31st Reinforcements), found) guilty of "deserting his Majesty's service," and sentenced to 84 days' detention, has been similarly dealt Private J. Magee, Trenthami Details (late 31st Reinforcements), Private C. V. Murray, Trentham Details (late 32nd Reinforcements), and Corporal S. T. Smith, Trentham Details (late 31st Reinforcements), found guilty of, •• when under orders for active service, deserting his Majesty's service," were also sentenced to imprisonment, with hard labour, for 112 days, but in each case the sentence has been mitigated in the same manner as that laidi down in Carter's case. The lastnamed offender to be reduced to the ranks. TWO MEN IMPRISONED. Two military trials were recently held in Dunedin,- and" the following sentences have been promulgated : —Private Edwin Irving and Private William Stewart Paulin, each to be imprisoned for two years, with hard labour, and at the termination of their sentences to be discharged from the force with ignominy. These men were found guilty of escaping from confinement, and of committing acts prejudicial to good order and military discipline. POLAND ATs T D THE WAR. The Polish Political Congress at Moscow addressed the following telegram to M. Ribot while ho was Minister of Foreign Affairs in Franco: "Throe hundred and sixty delegates of the Club parties, a Polish organisation in Russia assembled together in Moscow, representing the whole province of the ancient republic of Poland, united in : n unflinching determination to strugglo for the independence and unity of a Polish State extending to the sea, and at the same time for the freedom of nations, express to the great sister country the homage of their boundless admiration. "We arc happy that, in the common aim of this struggle, which will givo back to France as well as to our country the provinces formerly snatched away from us by Germany, side by side with the glorious French army there has sprung up a military force from Poland so long kept under disarmament." In answer to this communication M. Ribot

addressed the following telegram to Mr Stanislas Jezicrski, president of the congress : "I have followed with the greatest interest the important deliberations of the Polish Political Congress at Moscow,, which have been reported to me by the French Consul-general, and I beg to thank you for your kind message. France, who is united to the heroic Polish nation by so many traditional bonds, is happy to salute the recovery of the independence and union of all Polish lands formerly so flourishing, up to the shores of the Baltic Sea. under the dominion of a Polish State. The Government of the French Republic fighting in this war against the common foe for the freedom of nations, welcome the return to national life of all remnants of the noble Polish nation. We are proud to think that, owing to the efforts of the Poles .now separated from the motherland, a free Polish army has sprung up, and will soon be fighting under its national flag side by side with the French army." " THE POISON BELT." A NEW ZEALANDER'S EXPERIENCE. A realistic account of the new poison gas being employed by the Germans is given by Captain Oscar E. Gallie, a Now Zealand officer serving in the artillery on the western front. Writing to his brother Mr C. L. Gallie. of Newtown, on August 27, he states: "I supposo you have read' about this particular front—of the lively artillery actions, of the heavy guns which the Boche has, of the shifting terrain, and so on; but worst of all is his new mustard gas. Phosgene and lachrymatory are sweet and pure compared to it. Ho simply wallops us with this new new terror, and it's a case of masks on before one smells it. It is not so very fatal, but it is peculiar in that it docs not take any immediate effect except, when one gets a good dose of it. ! About a week after one may gradually become blistered all over, may be overcome by violent vomiting sickness, which ultimately turns into pneumonia and oats away the lungs. Then, again, it attacks all the more sensitive tissues. The eyes may be closed for months and ajl eight impaired, the pain being intense the while. The inside of the mouth and the ■ tongue are | very sensitive to it. All one night. I lay in a little hole, under what is left of the railway embankment, and 1 the Boche shelled all the long night through with mustard gas. I lay there with my mask on all by myself, awaiting something to hit me, but it didn't. • The morning broke poisonous and grey. The rank fumes of the gas were also resting on the oily waters of the river. "The shelling had ceased, and through the haze of the poison belt i could see the skeleton walls of . The poisonous sight was too common a one, otherwise I may have gone.mad. I seemed to be the only human being in the world as I stood upon the embankment endeavouring to climb above the poison. My mask I was afraid to take off, for through my goggles I could almost see the gas. I picked my may gingerly along the bank of the river. ; and at 6 ,a.m. came through, and lay down on the fresh, cool earth, ripped my mask off, and went to sleep sniffing the breeze. I wakened at noon. I walked back to the battery, sick and feeling 'pisined !' The major greeted mo, and pushed me right into bed, whore I remained for a couple of days, taking nothing but hot tea. Five days after my tongue swelled to about twice its size, and all the inside of my mouth became raw and painful. That was over three weeks ago, and I am still feeling the effects, though much better. My respirator saved me that night. The gas smells sometimes like mustard and other times like garlic, and is sickly and nauseating, but after the first two or three smellp it apnears to neutralise the sense of smell* and then comes the trouble, as one think* the air is clear._ and may get it properly without knowing it."