THE EMPIRE'S CALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3348, 15 May 1918, Page 38

THE EMPIRE'S CALL.

NEW ZEALAND'S RESPONSE APPEAL FOP MOPE MEN. AUCKLAND, May 8. Sir James Allen stated that no great difficulty would be- experienced in securing the additional number of men required by tho Imperial Government unless the circumstances involved alterations of plans. Class B men were now being medically examined, and would probably bo going into camp when the reinforcements fell back to their strength prior to tho recent request for an increase. MILITARY SERVICE BOARDS DEFENDED. AUCKLAND, May 8. Sir James Allen emphatically denied that men exempted on religious grounds were benefited at tho expense of men going away. Wherever ho had examined cases he had generally found that tho military service boards had had ample evidence to justify thoir action. A religious objector had to leave his occupation and go to work for the State. The assertion that religious and conscientious objectors could scoop another man's business was untrue. RE-ENLISTMENT OF SOLDIERS. • AUCKLAND, May 10. Sir James Allen informed a returned soldiers' deputation that there was no ground for fear that if a man re-enlisted and was turned down his pension would bo jeopardised. If he wero passed fit his pension would, of course, cease. CI MEN FOR CAMP. Otago and Southland representatives, to the number of 31, left by the 8 a.m. train on the 7th for the Cl camp at Fea'therston. This was the eighth draft to go forward. Captain Myers went up in charge. The following are the names of the Dunedin and Milton group areas: — Dunedin Group.—P. H. Bennett, H. Campbell. W. E. A. Fail, W. A; Hay, O. B. Hall, W. H. Jeffrey, J. A. Macguire, M. Maloney, F. A. Neill, J. fStenhouse, W. T. Telfer, T. W. A. Wood. Milton Group.—F. H. Eason, A. Gillanders, A. Kilgour, A. Loth, J. Robinson. SECOND DIVISION—CLASS B. LOW PERCENTAGE OF PASSES. WELLINGTON, May 8. The examination of tho B men of the Second Division has been going on for a week now, and so far as can bo learned the results are so disappointing, from the point of view of the Defence Department, as to.be really serious. Nothing- like 20 per cent, of the men examined have been passed as medically fit. The exact percentage of fit men obtained is not yet ascertainable, but tho authorities admit that it has been low. It is a fact in experience, however, that percentages for a portion of a draft are apt to be misleading. For no reason that can be discovered there occur days on which the percentage runs very low, and other days when it runs higher. The medical people are not ready to say yet what tho final results will show. Up to date the experience has been that the bulk of the men offering for examination are, from a military point of view, old—that, is to say, about 35 years of age or upwards. Tho military do not like men over this age. NEW ZEALAND ARMY. SOME INTERESTING FIGURES. AUCKLAND, May 8. Up to tho end of last month the total number of soldiers returned to New Zealand was 19,314, said Sir James Allen. Of that number, 569 were officers, and had been gazetted out of the Expeditionary Forces. Of the men, 14,080 had been discharged from the Main Body and reinforcements, 1243 from the Samoan force, while 1613 have returned to duty. Fiftv-eight returned men have died while under tho control of the Defence Department, 596 are in-patients under treatment at hospitals and convalescent homes, 521 are out-patients, 203 on sick leave, 249 awaiting discharge. 90 awaiting return to duty, and 86 axe on special leave. Five men deserted from the forces since returning, and three returned men are now in prison. Up to the present about 93,000 men have actually left New Zealand with the Expeditionary Forces, while the men at present in training would swell the number to rather more than 98,000. SOLDIERS' PENSIONS AND ALLOWANCES. ACTION BY RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION. Tho question of tho increased allowances and pensions for soldiers came up for discussion at laet week's meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers' Association. When the matter was previously before Parliament the association made representations, both through its headquarters in Wellington and to the Minister direct, to havo all the increases made retrospective to the outbreak of tho war. Sir James Allen refused, however, to admit the fairness of the association's claim that the services of the men who had volunteered in the early stages of tho war were of equal valuo with those who were going after threo yeai - 3 of war. At the meeting of the committee last night it was considered that the time was now opportune again to press the claims of the soldiers who went to the front early in thewar. The following resolution was adopted unanimously:—"That this committee, recognising that, the increases in the allowances and pensions for soldiers are justified, again demands, on behalf of the returned soldiers of Otngo, that thoy be made retrospective to tho outbreak of tho war; and points out to tho Minister of Defence 'that, by refusing to rccogniso tho justness of the association's claim in this connection, lie has placed a lower valuo on the services of tho men who joined tho Expeditionary Forco voluntarily early in tho war than on those of the max wiio arc now going to tho

front." It was pointed out that a largo number of married men sailed with the Main Body and with every succeeding draft, and it is principally on behalf of these men that the association is making its appeal. It was decided to forward copies of tho resolution to Sir James Allen, to the local Patriotic Association, and members of Parliament, whose co-operation will be asked, and to urge on the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association the importance _ of doing all in its power to gain tho desired end. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. SOLDIERS' WIVES AND DEPENDENTS. AUCKLAND, May 10. Mr C. J. Parr sought from tho Minister of Defenco to-day infoi-mation regarding assistance to the wives and families of Second Division men. He said that owing to so many wives of soldiers having received notice of the withdrawal of allowances an impression was current that the board was a dead letter. The Minister said he was surprised to hear the statement. The board was contributing very materially to the assistance of soldiers' dependents. In an interview later, Sir James Allen said the board treated the applicants liberally, according to the instructions given. It had commenced operations about tho time when the allowance to a wife was 7s per week. Subsequently a wife's allowance was increased to 21s per week, and tho allowance for a child from 5s 3d to 7s per week. When dealinpr with the applications for assistance the board was taking into account the increased separation allowance. A question had arisen as to what should be done with those who were granted financial assistance because the separation allowance was low. The board, therefore, had reviewed the earlier cases in order to put everyone on the same footing. (Some allowances had been adjusted, but had never been reduced, and the amount was equal to the increased separation allowances. In every case tho wives had been left better off. The Minister said he had examined several cases, and he unhesitatingly declared that the board had acted fairly. Tho minimum assistance for a wife was £9O, but the board had taken into consideration the ore-war circumstances and conditions of living of some people, who were better off than others —wives whoso husbands received a salary of £SOO or £6OO per year. In some of these cases the minimum financial assistance had been raised, and some wives were receiving assistance to the extent of £l3O per year in their own right. MARRIED SOLDIERS. PAY AND ALLOWANCES. WELLINGTON, May 7. In view of the fact that married men with children are now being called up for servico in this country, the following comparative statement of the rates of pay and allowances in New Zealand and other parts of the British Empire is interesting. _ Tho statement is issued with the authority of the Minister of Defence. The following are the weekly rates in the different countries : GREAT BEITAIK. Pay. Allowance. Total.

Wife and 5 children NEW ZEALAND ARMY. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS. The appointment to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force of the undermentioned officers proceeding- on activo service (seniority to date from April 24, 1918, unless otherwise specified) has been approved: New Zealand Field Artillery.—Second Lieutenant J. S. Miilner, U.L. (b), General List (April 24). Infantry.—Major C. B. Brereton, 12th (Nelson) Regiment, returns to duty. Captain A. G. M'Gregor, N.Z.A.5.0., No. 1 Company, returns to duty. Lieutenant'E. E. Somervell, U.L. (b), returns to duty. Lieutenant R. H. Nimmo, U.L. (b), Second Lieutenants T, Bell, F. Emms, F. L. Bowron, A. L. Bailey, D. G. Slade, and D. M. Moriarty, U.L. (b), General List, returns to duty. Second Lieutenant S. F. Temple, N.Z.R.B. (T.) returns to.duty. Second Lieutenants D. A. M'Donald and P. G Bennett, U.L. (b), General List, return to duty. Second Lieutenant T. H. Jamieson, N.Z.R.B. (T.), returns to duty. Second Lieutenant L. J. Shaw, U.L. • (b), General List, returns to duty. Second Lieutenant J. N. Walsh, N.Z.R.8., (T.) returns to duty. Second Lieutenants D. D. Dunn, B. J. Davenport, T. J. Mullins, P. T. Field, U.L. (b), General List, return to duty. Second Lieutenants W. R. Mulgan, U.L. (b), General List (July 4, 1917), L. L. Aitken, U.L. (b), W. K. Hamilton, 4th (Otago) Regiment, B. Hutton, U.L. (b), H. M. PoppelweU, 14th (South Otago) Regiment, F. F. Bennett, 4th (Otago) Regiment, E. W. England Ist (Canterbury) Regiment, F. W. Pauling, S. Newton, U.L. (b), General List. . New Zealand Army Servico Corps.— Second Lieutenant G. B. Fisher, U.L. (b), General List.

Now Zealand Medical Corps.—Captain H. C. Tait, M. 8., N.Z., Captain J. Guthrie, M. 8., Glasgow, Lieutenant F. M. Spencer, M. 8., N.Z., Liqutenant W. D. Hart, M. 8.. N.Z.

Now Zealand/ Dental Corps.—Captain G. S. Grcsham.

New Zealand Chaplains' Department.— Tlio Rev. F. Rands, chaplain, 4th class. New Zealand Army Nursing Services.— Matron Jessie Orr. Staff-Nurso 11. .Sutherland i-eturns to duty. Staff-Nurses A. \. Earl, M. C.- Roberts, I. Burt, E. M'Lellan, E. Coutts, M. H. Thompson, V. Opponhcim, M. I. Aiken, A. M. V. Rhind, C. Leo, E. Cairns, M. 11. Guinea, M. B. Garland, M. 0. Brown, M. V. Bremner, B. Wallace, J. G. Halburton, E. L. M'Gibbon, A. M. Rowntreo, M. M'Nicliol, J. M. M'Callum. Masseurs.—l. C. Keys, W. N. H. Howell, E. E. Volckman, D. A. Cameron, J. N. Teape, M. I. Saunders. 37th Mounted Rifles.—Major P. J. Wain, Bth (South Canterbury) M.R.; Second Lieutenants G. W. Scott. E. L. Compigno, L. V. Beilingham, U.L. (b), General List, return to duty.

3th N.Z.F.A.—Second Lieutenant F. M. Mitchell returns to duty; Second Lieutenant J. D. Hutchison, U.L. (b), General List (October 5). eeiuii:t::tg from the WAR. DRAFT REACHES AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, May 9. A vessel conveying 526 soldiers, under Lieutenant-colonel R. C. Allen, arrived this evening. The men will land to-morrow morning. ' An order has been issued that all hotels in the city and vicinity will be out of bounds for troops in uniform, and that civilians supplying any liquor to soldiers will be liable under the War Regulations. * May 10. The transport which arrived last night had a pleasant voyage, except for the death of one woman —a passenger. Almost all tho soldiers were walking cases. Many received their wounds at Passchendacle, and some at Messines and other engagements. There did not appear to be many crippled men, but the. majority bore the marks of active service." Tho Minister of Defence and the local officers visited the vessel after it was cleared,* and gave a general Avelcome to the draft. The work of the Medical Board was commenced soon after 6 p.m., and was completed in the early hours of this morning. Apart from a slight preliminary delay, the arrangements were quite satisfactory. The transport was berthed at 8 o'clock this morning, and the troops disembarked. A largo number of Main Body men who gained commissions and honours, are included in the draft. DRAFT 156. The southern men of returning draft No. 156 left Auckland by special train on Friday night and reached Dunedin on Monday evening, when they were suitably welcomed and conveyed to their destinations in cars supplied! by the Motor Club. Tho following is the list of those returned:— For Dunedin: Lieutenants Parker and Daglish, Sergeants Webb, Milburn, Butts, Corporals T'rysdale, Robertson, Gibson, Gillespie, Stanaway, Bombardiers Scott and Weatherall, Gunner MitohfiU, Riflemen Wilden, M'Aulcy, Mason, Parkinson, . Holt, Kcenan, Privates King, Heather, Gray, Eraser, Ross. For Sandymount: Private Stewart. For Green Island: Gunner Blackley. For Invercargill: Lieutenants Cowling, Guthrie, and Nicholson, Corporal Richards, Riflemen Ford and Heads. For Bluff: Trooper Johnston. For Limehills: Private Hammond. For WaikaJca: Private Kean. For Glenham: Rifleman Hughes. For Edendale: Rifleman Hoenan. For Woodlands: Lance-corporal Capon. For Otautau: Driver Cameron. For Wyndham: Private Camie. For Colae Bay: Private Brown. For Otama: Private Bruce. For Queenstown: Privates Aitken and M'Leely. For Mataura: Private Munro. For Charlton: Rifleman M'Bride. For Wright's Bush: Private M'Kaskill. For Orcpuki: Private Wilson. For Oamaru: Lieutenant Hewat, Private Smith. For Aidgowan: Privates Fitzsimmons and Wootton, Driver Milne, Rifleman M'Clea. For Enfield: Private Lowery. For Poolburn: Private Armstrong. For Omakau: Private Baglcy. For St. Bathans: Private M'Gregcr. For Cambrian: Private Morgan. For Milton: Rifleman Dale. For Waitahuna: Ser-geant Edmond. For Owaka: Corporal Roger, Privato Cook. For Allanton: Private Dwycr. For Balclutha: Rifleman Harvie. All these are convalescent and walking cases. RECEPTION IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON. May 1L Two hundred and sixtv soldiers who returned from the front this week received a hearty welcome at Wellington this afternoon. DRAFT 160. The following men belonging to Otago and Southland will arrive in New Zealand by transport shortly: — Major Colin H. Gordon. Dunedin. Second Lieutenant Jack R. Deal, Gore. Second Lieutenant Stanley G. Prebble, Gore. Second Lieutenant Robert Tapper, South Dunedin Nurse- Edith J. Thomson, Roslyn. Lance-corporal Frederic W. Alley, Winton. Privato Robert D. Bain, Dunedin. Private James Ballantyne, Bluff. Private John A. Barnett, Queenstown. Private Frederick W. Barton, Ravensbourne. Driver William T. Bauchop, Dunedm. Privato John A. Bevin. Caversham. Driver Edward A. Binnie, Maori Hill. Rifleman Thomas Bradshaw, Bluff. Privato Alfred! Brown, North-East \ alley* Private Charles Brown, Dunedin. Sergeant Ebcnezer R, Brown, Dunedin. Private Lewis Brown, Hokonui. Rifleman Colman Burke, Ravcnsbourne. Private Alexander T. Burrowes, Invercargill. Rifleman David E. Cartwright. Waiaruwa. Private Henry Cockburn, Balclutha. Private Reginald S. Cole, InvercargilL Corporal Alexander Collie, Mntaura. Gunner Alexander W. Criehton, Morn«

ington. Private Frank Diack. Invercargili.

Private Juck Don, Roslyn. Lance-corporal John Dougherty, Bald Hill Flat. Gunner John C. Elliott, Duncdin. ~ Sergeant John F. M. Ewon, Duncdin. Private James Fahey, Milton. Private Thomas G. Fleming, Papanui. Sergeant Andrew S. Fleming, Waikaka. Private Francis E. Forbes, Lawrence. Privato Martin Gavan, Poolbum. Rifleman David \V. Gibbs, Houipapa. Privato John Gittcns, Roxburgh. Corporal Herbert V. Goodsir, South Duncdin. Rifleman Wm. Grainger, South Duncdin. Driver David Grant, Oamaru. Lance-corporal Douglas Gray, Dunedin. Sergeant William Grieve, Waianiwa. Privato Samuel Gunning, Dunedm. Private George T. Gutsell, Gore. Privato William Hall, Dunedm. _ Lance-corporal Kevin P. J. Harbour, Waiareka Junction. Private William A. Holdaway, Dunedin. Corporal James E. Hollands, Dunedin. Lance-corporal Frank Henderson, Moroington. Privato Edward R. Houston, Southland. Private Daniel Hunt, Alexandra. Rifleman John G. Jack, Warepa. Private William Johnston, Dunedm. Private Henry C. Johnstone, Riyerton. Trooper George D. Jury, Highcliff. Privato Wm. Cavanagh, Port Chalmers Private Thomas P. Kelly, Invercargill. Private Leslie W. Keiler, Invercargill. Sergeant Wallace W. King, Roslyn. Rifleman Mervyn W. Kirk, Gore Privato Thomas Lamchbury (Military Medal), Dunedm. Private John W. W. Lunam, South Dunedin. Gunner Alfred J. Luxon, Awamoa. Driver John G. Macalistor, Invercargill. Rifleman Andrew A. M'Bride, Wairio. Rifleman Donald G. M'Donald, Houipapa. Private John M. M. M'Donald, Tapanui. Corporal John T. M'Donald, Lumsden. Privato Robert R. M'Donald, South Duncdin. ~ _ ~ Private Wesley J. C. MacDonald, Dunedin. Bombardier Thos. M'Gillivray. Mataura, Sergeant John H. M'Kay, Dunedm. Private Hugh M'Kech.nie, Fairfield. Gunner Frank S. S. M'Kcnzie, Oamaru. Corporal James M'Kcrnan, Dunedm. Private John P. M'Meeken, Otama. Rifleman Robert C. M'Murray, Roslyn. Rifleman Robert M'Narcy, Caffersham. Private Robert M'Naughton, Waianiwa Corporal John Maloney, South Dunedin. Privato John Manning, Sawyers Bay. Private William Mathieson, Dunedin. Privato Francis P. Millea, St. Kilda. Q.M.S. William A. Motion, St. Clair. Rifleman Charles E. Orr, Oamaru. Private Albany Otto, Musselburgh. _ Privato Louis A. B. Pearce, Waipiata. Gunner K. Perry, Sawyers' Bay. . Privato James B. Peterson, Opono. Driver James W. Ramsay, Kensington. Private John E. Reynolds, Invercargill. Private John R. G. Richardson, Mornmg- ■ ton. Lance-corporal George Rushton, Gore. Private George D. Shand, Mornmgton. Private John W. Shanks, Milburn. Driver William Sinclair, South Dunedin. Private John B. Smellie, Dunedin. Privato Alfred J. Smith, Dunedin. Privato David K. Smith, Tahakopa. Rifleman Richard S. Sopor, Garston. Private Robert Sprott, Taieri. Private Robert Taggart, St. Kilda. • Privato Trevor L. Tapp, N.E. Valley. Private W T illiam Taylor, South Duncdin. Private Charles V. Thomson, ■ Stewart Island. Rifleman William T. Tripp, Kaitangata. Private Robert C. Turvey, Oamaru. Sapper Henry Waters, Kaitangata. Private Walter J. Watkins, Dunedin. Private John R. W T atson, Ngapara. Lance-corporal William Watson, Invercargill. Private Christopher B. Wight, St. Kilda. Sergeant William M. Will, Kensington. Rifleman William S. Wilson, Port Chaljmers. Privato George Wyllie, Dunedin. The addresses given above are those of the next-of-kin.' RETURNED OFFICERS. ABSORBED INTO HOME UNITS. Tho following returned officers have been struck off the strength of tho N.Z.E.F, and absorbed into their homo units with their original rank and seniority therein: New Zealand Staff Corps.—Major R. B. Smythe, D.S.O. Regiment of Royal Nov/ Zealand Artillery. —Lieutenant-colonel M. M. Gard'ner, D. 5.0., ■with tho rank of major, and granted the temporary rank of lieutenant-colonel while holding his present appointment Now Zealand Rifle. Brigade (T.). —Lieutenand T. M. K. Johnstone, with the rank of second lieutenant. Unattached List (b).—Captain A. E. Neileon, with tho i-ank of second lieutenant, is granted the temporary rank of captain while employed as company commander CI camp; Captain N. J. Reed, with the rank of lieutenant; Captain C. H. A. Senior, M.C., with the rank of second lieutenant; Lieutenant F. H. Dodd. Unattached List (b). General List.—Lieutenant T. D. White, -with the rank of second lieutenant; Second Lieutenants A. Murray, L. Allan, H. E. Stratford. SOLDIERS SENTENCED. Three soldiers at Trentham Camp having been found guilty by district court-martial on charges of "disobeying in such a manner as to show a -wilful denanco of authority, a lawful command given personally by his superior officer in the execution of his office," have each been sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour for two years. Their names are as under: Privato 11. S. Aitkenhead, Details. Privato R. T. Morrish, Details. Privato T. G. Coffey, Details. Another soldier found guilty of deserting his Majesty's service has been sentenced to detention for 168 days. The sentence in his case, however, has been mitigated so that if tho accused embarks for activii service outside of New Zealand then upon arrival at the final port of disembarkation the unexpired portion (if any) of his sentence shall bo remitted and his New Zealand records shall bo endorsed accordingly. TWO YEARS' IMPRISONMENT FOR DISOBEDIENCE. Trontham Camp orders state that a district court-martial having found the undermentioned five men guilty of disobeying in such a manner as to snow a wilful dofiance of authority a lawful command given personally by their superior officers in tho execution of their ofhoe, and of refusing to take their issue of kit, they have each

been sentenced to two years' imprisonment with hard labour: — Private D. Williams, A.S.O. Private J. P. Siiechan, Details. Private J. Coyd, A.S.O. Private J. A. Pankhurst, Details. Private P. C. Dodge, A.S.O. TWO MEN FOUND GUILTY. A district court martial sat at Auckland on Thursday, for the purpose of hearing charges against two conscientious objectors of disobeying the lawful commands of a superior officer to attend for medical examination. Henry R. Urquhart, a former master at the Auckland Technical School, who was recently released from prison after serving a sentence for publishing "Marbles and Men," when asked if ho had any objection to the constitution of the court, said ho objected on religious grounds. He said he took exception to the form of oath which tho president hadi taken, and added that only if tho members would promise to resign rather than force a man to do that which he believed sinful, would ho willingly consent to be tried by the court. Tho objection was disallowed. Accused then objected to the typistc on the same grounds, and when asked tG plead', refused, saying his duty was to a Higher Court. Formal evidence was giver. as to tho act of disobedience, and accustS declined to cross-examine the witnesses. After being found guilty, accused made a long address. The- sentenco will be promulgated in due course. Samuel W. Batten was similarly charged. He said he could not object to the court, as he was there under compulsion, and that although he "was compelled to submit his body" it was useless to make any objection. He refused to plead, and a formal plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf. After evidence had been given of accused refusing to attend for examination, accused refused to cross-examine witnesses or make any statement. He was found guilty. The sentence will bo promulgated in duo course. RED CROSS SOCIETY. In response to a requisition, from headquarters, 50 eases of woollen comforts were packed last week, and are now ready for despatch to Bombay at the earliest opportunity. The popularity of the Red Cross kitchen increases every week, orders still coming freely to hand. Given future support from a generous public, the lutchen should prove a steady source of income to the society. Goods are steadily coming in from the countrv branches, all the workers bein"- unflagging in their efforts on behalf of the wounded soldiers. Donations are coming to hand every day for tho Red Cross Military Convalescent Home, and tho executive entertains great hope that the home will be opened free of debt. OVERSEAS CLUB. Aother week of steady work is finished, and still more cases of comforts for our boys on active servico and those sick and wounded in hospital are ready to bo sent away. A pleasant function took place on Tuesday, when members of tho Women's Committee entertained Miss Lawrence (late hon. secretary) to afternoon tea. The President, (Mrs Lindo Ferguson), in handing the guest an Overseas pendant, artistically designed, as a souvenir of her connection with the club, complimented Miss Lawrence on the splendid work done by her as hon. secretary of the Women's Committee since the inception of the Dunedin branch, and voiced the regret of members generally that Miss Lawrence had been compelled to resign her position MILITARY TRAINING IN NEW ZEALAND. SERIOUS OMISSIONS POINTED OU.T. WELLINGTON, May 7. "Trentham has no use for returned soldiers," declared a witness at the defence expenditure inquiry yesterday. The witness was one of a party of returned non-com-missioned officers recently sent back to this country. The men themselves were of opinion that they were sent back on duty, but the'authorities here say that they were, in fact, sent back on "duty furlough," and they are being returned to the front with drafts as soon as poss-ible. In the meantime they are not being used as instructors. The commission has been investigating the matter to discover whether or not there is not hero waste of good material and waste of tho money spent in transporting- these men to and fro without making use of thentraining and experience. Lieutenant E. J. Haydon said that he had been selected at the front to go to England to be specially trained to take a commission, and he had gone through in tho school in England what was known as the cadet course. Although the matters in which, New Zealand training clashed with the British training were not important, the British methods were those followed by tho division at the front. He had little or no work to do here in camp, and his training at the school in England was quite useless to him. It would bo useful again when he went back to the division.

Quartermaster-sergeant Grayburn, who had been regimental quartermaster at Sling Camp, in England, for 18 months, said that he had been sent back here, as he understood, on duty, in order to relieve fit men from New Zealand. On arrival hero he and the others had been paraded and told that there was no work for them to do, and he had been sent round the camp stores and told to pick up the New Zealand ways of doing things, m order that he would know his work when he went forward with a draft. He was to go away with the Forty-first Reinforcements, and there were fit men in the camp who were to stay here —men who had been in camp for many months. Under the battalion organisation which was followed at Sling, it would be possible to do all the administrative work that was now done at Trontham with less than half of the men now employed—with less than 500 men, instead of over 1000. He was satisfied that it should be possible by adopting the British methods to make a saving of at least 35 per cent, in the cost and to save 35 per cent, of the rations. In Sling the ration scale was just about half that in use in Trcntham, and ho would much rather be fed in Sling than in Trontham. The men would have to learn not to waste food in England, and their training in this should be begun here, especially as it could bo done without hardship. Sergeant-major Donnelly had a similar tale to tell. He said_ he had been one of two selected from hig battalion to come back to New Zealand for duty, and he understood that it was- to bo instruction

duty. He had an Aldershot certificate in bayonet fighting. The Chairman: That is very much prized out there, isn't it?

Witness: It is the best there, sir. lie said that he had been given no instruction work to do here, and ho was to go back to tho front, which ho was not at all unwilling to do. lie considered that there should bo a change in the system of training hero. There was too much waste of time, and men were in consequence not taught enough of tho "essential stuff." They should bo taught bombing and gas drill.

Tho Chairman: Can't that bo taught better at Sling? Witness: There is not enough time, sir. My experience of Sling was a six hours' course in these things, and then over to France.

The Chairman: But then the men go to Etaples. Witness: They aro not kept too long there, either, sir. He said that there should bo ample time for this instruction here before the men left, and if they were given this instruction hero thero would bo no risk of their being rushed over to the front without enough training, as thero might bo now in the event of heavy casualties in the division. Sergeant Carter, an Engineer, said that he also was being sent back to the front, although the officer commanding tho Engineers hero had said that he wished to have an instructor from the front. He considered that the great defect in the training in New Zealand was that the men were given no idea of what trenches were like, and were taught nothing about wire at all. The result was that sometimes men came forward to the front, even from Sling, who had never seen wire, and who did not know what a traverse was. This applied only to occasional small bodies of men, but tho defect in the training could be remedied. MISUNDERSTANDING REMOVED. AUCKLAND. May 9 The attention of the Minister of Defence has been- drawn to the statement made by certain non-commissioned officers who gave evidence before the Defence Expenditure Commission on Tuesday to tho effect that their services had not been used in the instruction camps, although they had, as they believe, returned from England on duty. The Minister said ho had mado inquiries into (his matter. When the men came out no instructions were received regarding them, and it was assumed that they were on duty furlough. It was not until May 2 that word was received from Home that the men —26 in number had been sent out as instructors, and they were therefore beirnr retained as instructors, and a memo, had been sent to the commission on May 4 clearly setting out the position. JOTTINGS. The Imperial Government has accepted the services of a fifth contingent from Fiji. They will be privately equipjjed and transported from the islands. Advice has been received from London that Major-general E. N. O. Chaytor, N.Z.S.C., commanding tho Anzac Mounted Division in Palestine, has been knighted. At the last meeting of tho VVaitahuna Patriotic Society the committee decided to raise funds for the purpose of supplementing the general account. The effort took the form of a house-to-house canvass of the district, the canvassing being (our correspondent writes) in the capable hands of Mr A. Murdoch. Cash to the amount of £lO5 was collected. A large quantity of produce and other goods was also received, and a bowling carnival and jumble sale, with the object of realising tho gifts in kind, was held on Wednesday last. The attendance during the afternoon was very good, and some £ls was realised. The bowling club's drawing, driving, and rink matches were well patronised, and' afternoon tea, sweets, and flowers were provided to secure the nimble ninepence from the visitors to the green. In the evening the hall was crowded with bargain-seekers, and good business was done at the various departments. Sheep, pigs, wheat, oats, and produce were all disposed of at full market value, and the result of the whole proceedings netted approximately £l9O. At the conclusion of the sale tho chairman (Mr F. Whelaa), on behalf of the committee, thanked the donors for the generous and hearty manner in which they had responded to the .appeal for funds to carry on the good work they were engaged in. He thanked the band of willing helpers who had assisted, both afternoon and evening to make the event a success. PERSONAL. Private W. A. Miller (reported killed in action on April 7, 1918) was the fourth son of Mrs J. Miller, of 138 Victoria street, Christchurch, and grandson of the late J. H. Perkins; of Mataura. He- was born in Invercargill on March 18, 1897, and. educated at the Invercargill Grammar School and West Christchurch School. He left New Zealand with the Specialists Corps attached to the Eighteenth Reinforcements, and had just passed his twenty-first birthday a fortnight before his death. He took a keen interest in the Cadets, being sergeant of his trcop, and was a keen hockey player. His happy disposition endeared) him to all his friends. Of his two brothers, who left New Zealand with the Main- Body, Private H. 11. Miller was wounded on G-allipoli and invalided home, while Gunner F. E. Miller is now back in New Zealand on duty furlough after nearly four years in the trenches.

Referring to the culling up of Mr John Haig, one of the vice-presidents of the Otago Football Association, the Chairman cf the Executive on Monday referred to_ the fine record of the family, a record of which Mornington district and Momington Club had reason to be proud, seven young athletes in one family having answered the call. David Haig left with the. Main Body, served on Gallipoli, contracted enteric, and died. William also left with the Main Body, serveu on Gallipoli and in Prance, and had been invalided home, Fredl Haig left with the hospital ship Maheno on her first trip, nd was now discharged, having contracted enteric and pneumonia. Andrew left with the Twenty-fifths and Walter with the Twentysevenths, and are now in France. James and John are to leave with other reinforcements. All had been fine football players. Rifleman. John Findlay M'Arthur, who was killed in action somewhere in France, collected some battlefield souvenirs, which he caused to he sent to his aunt, Mrs A. Blackwood, of lloslyn, beforo his death. These include a blood-stained German 5-mark banknote, secured at Pa-sscher.daele Ridge; also a belt from a German machine gun, which gun had accounted for many New Zealanders. On the iron buckle of the belt is a raised orowu, and) surrounding it the inscription, "Gott mit uns," a somewhat impious motto

for a death-dealing machine. On the belt the late rifleman had! sewn a number of English, Scottish, and French soldiers' buttons and regimental insignia-. A rather unusual souvenir is a framed certificate from Father Neptune.

.Private Herbert, Blackie, who is reported to have died from wounds, was the eldest son of Mr William Blackie, late of Ravensboumc, but for the ia3t three years fanning at Katea. Ho was born and educated at Ravensbourne. He was a keen Territorial, and was a bugler Ho was a keen Territorial, a splendid swimmer, and a football player. He joined the Thirtieth Reinforcements when he came of age. Prior to working on his father's farm, at Katea he was employed in Messrs Butterworth Bros.' warehouse in this city. Private R. \V. Watkins (killed in action on March 25) was born in North-East Valley 21 years ago, and received his education at the George Street School. He took a prominent part in tho school sports, winning medals in 1912 for cricket and football, and a number of prizes on the rifle range. After leaving school he served three years with the New Zealand railways as a cleaner, two years of which were spent at Cross Creek, but for health reasons he had to resign. Immediately prior to leaving for camp with the Thirty-first Reinforcements he was on the staff of the Commercial Travellers' Club. He left New Zealand with the Twenty-ninth Reinforcements. Mr William Blackie, of Owaka, has received advice that his eldest son, Private Herbert William Blackie, died on April 30 as a result of wounds received in action. Tho deceased volunteered when he had just reached the age of 20, and left New Zealand on October 1-1 last year. Ho was born at Ravensbourne, and, prior to joining his father in farming pursuits at Owaka. was employed at Messrs Butterworth Bros. A Press Association message from Christchurch states that, private advice has been received that Sergeant Eric Harper, who Was a member of tho famous All Black football team, has been killed in action in Palestine. He was a married man about 37 years of age, and went away with a mounted reinforcement about a year ago. He was a son of Mr George Harper, a well-known Christchurch solicitor, who lost another son, Lieutenant Gordon Harper, in the fighting in Egypt early last year. Another son, Captain Robin Harper, M.C., returned to New Zealand a couple of weeks ago badly wounded.

Mr Frank Reed, Chief Inspector of Mines, has been advised that his only son, Lieutenant Percival Francis Reed, M.C., of the 12th Battalion, Australian Infantry, was reported killed or missing on April 25. Lieutenant Reed enlisted as a private at tho commencement of hostilities in 1914, and had been on active service ever since. He fought in German New Guinea, Arabia, and in France, with the famous 12th Battalion, A.I.F. He received wounds at Ypre3, Pozieros, and Bullccourt, where he gained his Military Cross. He was bom in New Zealand, and educated at Blundell's School, Devonshire. Lieutenant Beed, in a letter to his father dated February 16 last, had a presentiment of hi 3 approaching end. He then wrote as follows:—"The German blow will come any week now. I feel assured that he cannot break through us on a grand scale, but we will no doubt loss trenches, just the same as they lost to us last year and in 1916. We poor beggars holding the front line are in for a terrible time, and a modu-n bombardment prior to the hostile assault is worse than hell. I am far from nervous, but after all my military experience I know. For those of us who have fought since 1914, who have suffered much pain and risked our lives times out of number, to have to witness Russia throwing in the towel and America not yet ready is hard lines. I for one quite expect the next few weeks to finish my spin on this old globe, also that of many of my brave boys; but, as I have always- said, it will ba with my face in the right direction, and not before a few more frauen and fraulein have to don black weeds. I have done it before, and can do it again." Lance-corporal Hugh Elmar Sibbald (died of wounds) was the'third son of the late T. S. Sibbald and Mrs Sibbald, of Redcliffs, late of Dunedin. He was educated at the East Christchurch and Waltham schools, and then went to Hawke's Bay, where he joined the Danevirke volunteers. Ho was for several years in Dunedin, with H. F. Stevens and Co. and J. B. 'M'Ewan and Co. He was a keen athlete, and a- member of the Pirates

Football Club and Otago Rowing Club. He enlisted at the beginning of the war, being passed in Brisbane after having been rejected in Sydney on account of defective eyesight, and eventually loft with the Srd Australian Brigade. Main Body. He went through the Callipcii campaign without a scratch or an hour's illness. He had a severe illness in France, and later was wounded in the hand and face, which affected his eyesight. He later rejoined his original brigade, now the 49th, and, being severely wounded in action, died on Ansae Day, at the age of 36.

Cable advice has been received that Private H. Hall, who has bson posted as wounded and missing since October 12, has now been reported killed in action. Private Hnll was born at Ch'ristchurch and educated there, and was the youngest son of the late Mr T. Hall. After leaving school lie followed farming pursuits, eventually settling at Clydevale when the estate was cut up for settlement. He enlisted with the 23rd Reinforcements.

Word has been received by Mr Jamea Croker, of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Wellington, and formerly of Dunedin, that his eldest son, Corporal Eric R. I. Crcker, was killed in action In Franco in April 16. The late Corporal Croker was well-known in Christclvurch and Dunedin, where he had been for the past 18 years in the employment of IvEes-srs Sargood. Son, and Efwen. He was educated "°n Blenheim and Dunedin, and before leavmg New Zealand with the Twenty-second Reinforcements wa.s one of the ma.nagers. in the firm's Christ church warehouse.

& s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Private 0 10 6 — — Wife only — 0 9 0 0 19 6 Wife and 1 child ... — 0 10 0 16 6 Wife and 2 children — 1 1 0 1 11 6 Wife and 3 children .— 14 6 1 15 0 Wife and 4 children ■— 1 7 G 1 18 0 Wife and 5 children — 1 10 6 2 10 CANADA. Pay. Allowance. Total. £ s a.. £ s. d. £ s. d. Private 1 12 1 1 0 10 2 12 11 In Canada there is no allowance for children, so that this total of £2 12s lid can never be exceeded, however many children the soldier may have. AUSTRALIA Pav Allowance. Total. £ b. d. £ s. d. £ s. a. Private ... — ... 2 2 0 — — Wife only — 0 13 5 2 15 5 Wife and 1 child ... — 0 16 11 2 18 11 Wife and 2 children — 10 5 3 2 5 Wife and 3 children — 1 3 11 3 5 11 Wife and 4 children — 17 5 3 9-5 Wife and 5 children — 1 10 11 3 12 11 NEW ZEALAND. Pay. Allowance. Total. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Private ... -. ... 1 15 0 ■ — Wife only — 110 2 16 0 Wife and 1 child ... — 1 11 6 3 6 6 Wife and 2 children — 2 2 0 3 17 0 Wife and 3 children — 2 12 8 4 7 6 Wife and 4 children — 3 3 0 4 18 0