DOMINION WAR NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16309, 10 August 1917, Page 8

DOMINION WAR NEWS.

| RETURNING FAIRLIJ3 SOLDIERS. j Official word has been received that ; i J: eut. J. Dmes and Rifleman F. Ball ■ both of Fan-lie, are due to arrive iii iSew Zealand this month. Lieutenant JJuies left with the Main Bodv ;ls a Corporal and his promotion throuo-li tee various grades to Jiis present .stains has been a source of keen satisfaction ;to the men under him. He returns to New Zealand on duty. Rifleman Bail ; lleur u with the IGfh Reinforcements and was nadly wounded in the chest bv a shrapna shell shcrtly after his arrival . in the trout line trenches. RECRUITING AGE. TO BE REDUCED TO 19. From Our Own Correspondent. WELLINGTON. Aug. 9 It is understood that the Government proposes to bring down an. , amendment to the Militarv Service | Act. providing f or lowering'the ago of ; recruits to ji:notr-?n years. Tlie "rea- ; son fo-- 11,/ nlry>.-nt.;o'n is that bv the time the men got through their 'trainu.g and roach tlie firing line, they will , iv* twenty years of age. J EXEMPTION OF CLERGY. ; A Rill providing for the exemption : <;>■ clergy from service will also be i uiii-odn-.-ed shortly. 1 AMENDING PENSIONS SCHEME. PROPOSALS NOT YET READY. ! The Miuhd-er of Defence has not yet . been able to snbi:,it to the Cabinet 'his proposal for ai'.oudmejit o r tlie pen- ; sons s-l„.ine. \~ legislation is ,-e I on-red to ~;,;,!,'„ t !, O Government io : increase allnwa..e, v - or the. fir-.me: a l a-s-stam-e ~f of soldiers. ! Ibis mav be ,i 0110 nv regidafinn „, j t-ie Miliiary Service Act. j home service camps. I Rep'ying to a question Sir James 'Allen stated tiiar preparatory camps : were being organised for homo service i v.-.vn. i ' _ ~ I THE REINFORCEMENTS. .MOUNTED RIFLES AT DESTINATION. (l'er Press Association A WELLINGTON. Aug. 9. The Minister of D.v'<->nce received advi'-e to-day that the 25th. 26th, 27th | and 2Sth M'o.unre.l Rifle..- ] VAVP reached I their destination. All are well.