THE EMPIRE'S CALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 38

THE EMPIRE'S CALL.

HEW ZEALAND'S RESPONSE

THE SECOND DIVISION. CLASS B MEN. WELLINGTON, January 14. • No announcement has yet been made as Jo tho intentions of the Government in regard to the oalling up of men after the first class of tho Second Division is exhausted. It is understood, however, that it is -not the intention that class B men will be called up at once. There may be a break of two or three months, or perhaps longer, as every Second Division man is allowed 12 weeks' notice from the time of medical examination before he is required to proceed to camp. It is practically certain that none of the claas B men will have to go into camp until September, next, or .probably later. .. This is the real significance of the decision of the Government, made some time ago, that tho Fourth Brigade at the front should bo broken up and used for reinforcements. There was no actual lack of reinforcements at the time the announcement was made, and tho report is that there is no lack now, but that, on the contrary, the recruiting authorities are in a very strong position. THE C2 MEN. ARRANGEMENTS FOR RE-EXAMINA-TION. The number of C2 men to be re-examined in the various districts is as follows, tho date on which the board will begin work in the district being also given: Group. 1 (Auckland) ... 815 January 21. 2 (Hauraki) 125 February 12. 3 (N~. Auck.) ... 130 February 7. 4 (Wiiikato) 225 February 19. 6 (Wellington) ... 525 April 15. 6 (Manawatu) ... 310 March 13. 7 (H. 8.) 225 March 31. 8 (Tnranaki) ... 350 March 4. 9 (Christchurch) ... G6O May 9. 10 fS. Cant'b'ry) ... 2CO May 28. 11 fat. Cant'b'rv) ... 130 May 23. 12 (Nalson) ICS "April 27. 13 (Dunediu) 310 Juno 6. 14*(Southland) ... 300 June 19. . . 15 fat. Otago) ... 90 June 3. 1G (Clutha) 110 June 14. 17 (Buy of Plenty) 105 February 15. 18 (Wairarapa) ... 240 April 8. 19 (Poverty Bay) 188 March 28. 20 (Wanganui) ... 220 February 23. 21 (West Coast) ... 105 May 3. Total 65G5 It will interest tho CI men to know also ithe dates on which Cl drafts will enter the special camp at Featherston during the prosent year. Each period of mobilisation covers four clays, the Canterbury men entering camn on the first day, the Otago men on tho second, the Wellington men on the .third, and tho Auckland men on the fourth. The periods are as follow:—January- 15 to January 18, February 12 to . February 15, March 12 to March 15, April 9 to April 12, May 7 to May 10, Juno 4 to June 7, July 2 to July 5, July 30 to August 2, August 27 to August 30, September 24 to September 27, October 22 to October 25, November 19 to November 22, December 17 to December 20. SOUTHERN MEN FOR Cl CAMP. A draft of about 90 C2 men, who have been reclassified as Cl men, loft Dunedin on Tuesday, 15th inst., by the 11.15 a.m. train for the special camp in the North Island. The Invercargill draft is as follows : Adamson, Alex. M'Donald, Thos. A. Alsweiler, Eric F. M'Donough, Wltr. M. Anderson, Robert M'Dowull, Albert Anderson, Wm. M'Dowall, Robt. Baldwin, Peter Ed. M'Elwhinney, Wm. Ballantino, James M'Lennan, G. G. Bartlett, H. R. Maokay, John A. Blackmore, Wm. J. Mair, John R. Blatch, Wm. Thos. Morison, Hugh Brown, Wm. Reid Muir, Joseph Brooks, Jas. Wm. Murdoch, .Jas, J Donaldson, John D. Ramsay, John P. Bull, Henry Robertson, Wm. A Campbell, Robt. Rogers, E. J. Cameron", Wm. Scobie, E. Adams Cuddihy, Edward Spring, John Guddihy, John B. Steele, Hugh Ciimmings, Frank Thomson, Jos. E. Dooley, Joseph Thomson, J. C. Dyer Harry Timpany, Allan Ford, John Martin Turnbull, John S. Fraser, James Watson, Lieutenant Gawn, Wm. Robt. James L. Gray, Jno. Raymond Williamson, Alex. C. Hartle, Wm. Jas. Wallace, Arthur Hamilton, Wm. D. Woods, Robt. John Hogg, E. Fenton M.Naughton, John Jackaon, Thomas M'M'lntosh, Norman Kclleher, Timothy Kelly, Lieutenant Konnard, Albt. F. Ellis C. Irilley, Henry Wyatt, Thomas GOING TO THE FRONT. The residents of the Lower Harbour met in the Barracks, Deborah Bay, on Friday, 4th inst., for the purpose of 'bidding "au re voir" to two of tho local boys (Privates Ledgcrwood and Erridge) who were down on final leave. Mr M. Kecnan, who presided, on behalf of the. residents, presented to each of the soldiers a gentleman's companion, wishing them God-speed and a safe return. _ Both recipients suitably replied. Dancing, interspersed with musical items, was indulged in until an early hour, the gathering odncluding with the singing of " For They Are Jolly Good Fellows."

On Tuesday, Bth inst., a lar.go number of residents of Waitahuna met to bid farewell to Private Hugh Auld. who was present on final leave. Mr F t Whelan (chairman of the Waitahuna Patriotic Society), who occupied the chair, spoke in eulogistio terms of the guest, and, on behalf of those present, handed him a wristlet watch as a token of esteem. Occasion was taken formally t-o welcome homo Private W. R. Auld, who ia a brother of Private Hugh Auld, and had just arrived that evening. The chairman, on behalf of tho residents, warmly welcomed the returned Boldier. Private W. R. Auld has seen service in Samoa, Egypt, smA France. Messrs Ponder and Murdoch also delivered short addresses, and local talent supplied a varied programme, whioh concluded with the National Anthem and cheers for the guests of the evening.

On thv-. 7th an enjoyable evening was spent in Mr Souter's Hall, Mosgiel, when Private A. M'Leod (34th Reinforcements), son of Mr H. M'Leod, Mosgiel., was entertained. Songs and recitations wero rendered by Messrs. P. Murdoch, H. Gamble, A. Gamble, and Mr S. Martin provided bagpipe music. During the evening the chairman (Mr J. Gourley) presented Private M'Leod with a soldier's shaving outfit. The evening was closed with enjoyable supper and the singing of the National .Anthem. PRESENTATION OF DECORATIONS. The local office of tho Defence Department has been advised that some time this week the Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) wdl visit Dunedin for tho purpose of presenting medals to the next-of-kin of three Otago soldiers who have given their lives foe their country. For this purpose publio parados will bo held, the dates of which will be notified in the course of a few dayß. The Military medal will be presented to the brother of the late Lancecorporal Ernest Ellis Islip, 2nd New Zealand Rifle Battalion, C Company; to the mother of Serjreant R. J. Murdoch, who left Now Zealand with tho Canterbury Mounted Rifles; and the Distinguished Conduct Modal will bo presented to the mother of Corporal Alfred Andrews. .The Minister will later leave for Invercarsrill, and at Gore he will present the Militarv Medal to the mother of Private W. T. 'Lacey. BACK FROM THE WAR. TWO DRAFTS REACH DUNEDIN. Two drafts of returned Otago and Southland soldiers arrived in Dunedin on the Bth. Draft 129, which arrived at Auckland in a troopship on the 4th inst., came on to Port Chalmers and reached this port at, 8 a.m. The men and their friends came on to Dunedin by tho train leaving Port at 11.30 a.m. Beyond a few cheers when the steamer drew alongside the wharf, and when the train pulled in to Dunedin railway station there was no demonstration of note. Of tho 62 officers and men who landed, 21 were; for Dunedin and the remainder for other parts of Otago and for Southland. Nursing Sister May Chalmor, N.Z.A.N.S., a former resident of Upper Kew. Dunedin, was among those who landed. There were no cot cases. Private Geo. Tomkins, although a walking case, will become a inpatient of Dunedin Hospital. Private John Gerald Hamilton, of Invercargill. was a cot case and was taken ashore at Wellington to become an inmate of a hospital there. A number of those returning are not invalids, but are returning on duty. The Dunedin railway station was thronged in the evening when the 9.25 express arrived. This train brought some 69 officers and men from Lyttelton, who belonged to draft 134, and who-landed at Auckland on the morning of the sth inst. Hearty cheers were given as the train pulled into the platform. Captain Dobson came down in charge of the men, all of whom were walking cases. Chapkin-oaptain Bush King was among those who returned. Of the men who returned 45 are for places outside Dunedin, and they will eo to their homes by the trains leaving this morning. Lieutenant G. - Swan, M.C., of Mosgiel, who came back a few days ago, was a lancecorporal in the Eighth Reinforcements. He went to France with the rank of sergeant, and was made second-lieutenant late iji 1915. Last March he received his second star. He was wounded at Messines, and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in that action. A brother, Corporal W. B. Swan, was a member of the Main Body, and is still on active service. iSeoond Lieutenant P. Oalnme, of Dunedin, was a member of the Main Body. He worked his way through the ranks on Gallipoli and in France, until finally selected for a commission. He won the Military Medal at tho battle of the Somme. Lieutenant Calame has'returned for duty. DISCHARGED SOLDIERS. WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT. WELLINGTON, January 10. A statement issued to-day by the Attorney-general (Hon. Mr Herdman), who is the Minister in charge of the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department, shows that altogether 14,240 New Zealand soldiers, sick or wounded, have returned to' tho dominion. When the previous return \"as made up, on the 29th November last, the number of men that had arrived from tho front was 11,981, and the large increase which the figures to-day show is duo to tho recent arrival of five transports with 2266 men aboard.

The details of the Minister's statement showing the department's classification of the returned men makes interesting reading. Of the 14,240 men on the register, 10,195 have been disposed of; 1639 are under action, and 2406 arc not ready for action. Tho last-mentioned number includes over 2200 men who have returned during" the past fortnight. The following are the particulars of how tho cases have been dealt with by the de partment: —Cases disposed of—(a) men who have work to return to or have re-enlisted or returned to military duty, etc., 4491; (b) men placed in employment, 2199; (c) men who have intimated "assistance not required," 2464; (d) left New Zealand or cannot ascertain address, 147; (e) men who have not responded to repeated communications, and men who have accepted work the department found for them but failed to start work, 894. Under action—(a) Reports upon cases not yet returned by officers making inquiries, 497; (b) awaitingfurther advico (including men who have stated that they are not yet ready for work), 923; (c) at present on employment wanted register, 219. Not ready for action—Men convalescent not ready for employment and not yet discharged by the military authorities, 2406. Commenting upon the return to a reporter, the Hon. Mr Her dm an said that very satisfactory work was being done by his department in the settlement of tho men who have been returned. With tho splendid assistanco that many employers of labour were giving, combined with tho schemes prepared by tho department for tho reabsorption of the men, there were no difficulties Immediately ahead of tho department that could not, he thought, be surmounted. If all employers of labour would notify the department when a man was wanted they would not only bo assisting tho Government, but they would be discharging a very good service to their country. Of the 219 men shown in tho

statement as .needing employment, most of them, said the- Minister, had just been discharged from tho army. Until the men were actually discharged tho department could not take any action in regard to securing them employment. He expressed no doubt that during tho present month all these men would bo absorbed in some employment suited to their qualifications and conditions. SURPLUS OF OFFICERS. WAR OFFICE MAKES AN OFFER. WELLINGTON, January 13. A big surplus of officers has existed in the camps for some months—evej since the time when the First Division territorial officers were ordered into camp. In order to get rid of them the New Zealand Government asked the War Office- to take our surplus of territorial officers for service with the British army or the Indian army. In reply the War Office has offered to take a certain number of our officers at tho front who have had experience. This arrangement, if adopted, would allow of territorial officers being sent forward with the reinforcements. The proposal has vet *to/ be considered by the New Zealand authorities. Tho British War Office will make the better deal if the proposal is accepted, as men promoted at the front after years of service will be better officers than territorial officers untried in war. The reason for the glut hejo is that promotions in the field have increased to such an extent and so many officers are being sent back from the front to get commands in new drafts that no place can bo found for territorial officers or men who might be promoted to commissions In the camps here. CLERGY AND MILITARY SERVICE. v WELLINGTON/ January 12. Following' on the recent conference of Military Service Boards, Sir James ADen stated to-day that in England the clergy are exempt by the Act from the operation of the Military Service Act, and come up for service as chaplains. Here they are not exempted; but the boards have agreed to follow the evident policy of Parliament, which was to exempt them from the provisions of the Act, in line with the British practice regarding religious orders, including Marist Brothers.' The boards are also following tho British practice in regard to appeals which are heard, and unless there is some good! reason to the contrary, thsy are adjourned sine die. Should the practice in Britain be altered the matter will be considered. SALVATION ARMY WAR WORK FUND. We. have received a cheque for £SO from John Edmond (Limited) as a contribution to the Salvation Army War Work Fund. We shall be pleased to receive, for transmission to the hon. treasurer of tho fund, any sums which persons desirous of contributing to tho fund may send to us. PERSONAL. ■■ Word has been. received by his parents that Captain Robert Francis Mitchell has been awarded the Military Cross. Captain "Bob" Mitchell is the well-known athletic champion. He left New Zealand as a lieutenant in the sth Mounted Rifles, 0.H., with the Main Body. He was wounded on Gallipoli, and returned to New Zealand for eight months' rest, as he was suffering also from shell shock. He sailed for France in July, 1916. From there he was sent to England as a cavalry instructor, attached to the King and Queen's Hussars. He again left for France in the middle of April, 1917, and has been through all the actions with the New Zealanders since he arrived, there. He was formerly employed by the Post and Telegraph Department as a telegraphist, and was a wojl-known figure in Duncdin sporting circles. Information has been received by Mr and Mrs Wesley Spragg, of Mount Eden, Auckland, that their only son. Flight-lieutenant Wesley Neal Spragg, was killed in action in Egypt on January 1. Deceased left Auckland for London on October 5, 1915, rmd there joined the Roval Flying Corps, being appointed a flight-lieutenant. Later he" was employed as aeroplane-machine-gun instructor, in which he was recognised as an expert. The cable received furnishes no details as to the sad occurrence. This adds one more to the roll of King's College, Remuera, of old pupils who have given their lives for ' the Empire". Lieutenant Spragg, prior to the war, was a partner in- the firm of Haycock and Spragg, motor engineers, of Auckland. JOTTINGS. Our correspondent advises us that the function in aid of the Red Cross and"Y.M.C.A. Funds, held at Matakanui on the 27th ulte, was a great success, and that the funds mentioned will benofit to the extent of something like £3OO as the result. A well-knowm indent agent, of Wellington, who traded under the name of Lonnard and Co., and who is a Gorman by birth, was interned l at Somes Island on the 11th. A wine and spirit traveller named Zofa. has also been interned. The announcement was recently made by the Base Records Office that the Military Cross had been awa.rded Captain Robert Biiffault. who was unknown to the authorities. This is evidently the Auckland surgeon who went to England in May, 1915. and received a commission in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He served in Gallipoli until the end of that nnmpaifrn, and during the past 18 months has been in France.