EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19814, 4 December 1919, Page 8

EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

RUMOURS IN WELLINGTON [Per Press Association,! imcembor 4. Those present at the election meeting of Air Via uloy Brow no (Liuerul caiidiuato for Wellington .xortnl at Kelburn 1 st night pileited up their cars wlien a certain question was put by a. member ol tho .uuliouco. The candidate "'as asked if he Was aware that an expeoitiuimrv force of eighty soldiers was Ravine New Zealand on 'Thursday week for Samoa the pay being lbs a day, wives ynd families being taken. ; “ What is this force going for. and is Sir James Alien responsible? ,J asked tie questioner. > " I’ve lie rd something to-day about t is expeditionary force," replied Mr Browne, “but 1 cannot vouch for the 1 nil details. There have been rumours ilia* on Thursday week an expedition- ; arv force is to leave these shores, and the oniv reason 1 can see is the nossi-i btktv of trouble over our enforcement ol nroailrtion. No doubt they’re getting worked up about it.” A \o'co: “Quite right, too.” 1 slr Ih'owne: “I would not bo surprised if there is something in it.” AN EXPLANATION. (Special to the “ Star.”) W ELLINGTON, December 4. Tho audience at Mr Oakley Browne’s electioh meeting was considerably interested when a question was put to tho candidate whether ho knew that an; .Expeditionary Eorco of eighty soluicrs j was leaving Wellington on Thursday week for Samoa. The candidate said j he had heard a rumour, but was unable to vouch for details. Tie suggested that the reaso;i for the force was tho possibility df trouble over the enforcement of prohibition in Samoa. i Your correspondent is officially informed that the rumour was probably based on the fact that seventy men are being trained at Trenbham for tbo Samoan civilian police, who will shortly replace the military. Half of these men are mounted. They have a three years’ engagement, their pay and conditions being on tho same lines as the New Zealand police force, tho object being a, possible amalgamation. Future recruiting will be done through tho New Zealand Commissioner of Police, i