EVENTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2241, 29 August 1914, Page 8

EVENTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. AN APPEAL BY THE EARL OF LIVERPOOL PRECAUTIONS SUGGESTED. VOLUNTEERS & THEIR VOTES-BILL DUE ON TUESDAY.

The Prime Minister read in the House of Representatives last.evening the following extracts, from a communication transmitted to him by His Excellency the Governor:— "His Excellency earnestly hopes that when the time arrives for the embarkation of the Expeditionary Force for Europe, no questions will be asked, or 'suggested, as to the route; not that His Excellency does not dosire to give all portions of news which will be of interest to the people of New Zealand, but because it is vitally important to keep ali movements of the Force as secret as possible,' so that the risk of the news finding its way to the enemy's hands should be reduced to a minimum, in order that no stone shall bo left unturned to prevent any chance happening which would endanger the lives of the Expedition. ''.'■' "In the same way, His Excclency would suggest that'it is inadvisable'to rive particulars of any steps which either the Dominion or any other dependency of :the' Crown is taking to defend itself; ; ■>■ ■■ '

"His Excellency, feels he will not have to appeal in vain to the , people and public Press of these Islands, as throughout;this crisis, they have manifested in such a marked degree a desire to assist everyone ; to the utmost of their power; at the same time,the Governor feels it. right to make these representations through: his; Prime Minister, as rumours have already been circulated regarding the advance party of the Expeditionary Force, which were entirely incorrect; as so late as 8.30 a.m. of August 27' ho 'was. assured that; everything was well with the Force. . _ . "Hia Excellency desires it to be known that he will at all; times facilitate the circulation of; any interesting news which can with safety be communicated to both.the people and the Press," ■ ■ . , The Prime Minister said 1 that he hard-: Iy thought this communication required; any.explanation. He was sure that Parliament, the public, and the Press' would sco/the'Wisdom of complying with this request by His Excellency the Governor. .-.•:■•.■ .-'■'■'.•

TAKING CASH TO LONDON. . ')' . DRAFTS AT"PAR. ' ■' The Hon. H. Di Bell (Minister of Internal Affairs) wrote oif'Thursday to Mr. W. Gallender (General Manager of the Bank of New Zealand),, pointing out that.'a great;many of the men,of the Expeditionary Force" will take, away with them small sums of money, and at the present time necessarily'ln bank notes of the Now Zealand banks. In view, of this fact, the Minister asked whether it was possible for the New Zealand banks: to agree that, to a limited extent, they will cash these notes at their London branches in notes of the present English currency. Mr. Bell added that no doubt the banks would prescribe a'limit to this privilege. Mr. Callendcr Teplied yesterday,-and suggested that the members of the Contingents should take drafts in their favour on the London branch of one of the banks trading in .Now • Zealand. These drafts the banks would, in the exceptional circumstances, issue at par. As an alternative, Mr. Callender suggested that , individuals ; should hand their' amounts to their respective paymasters, and tho banke would issue a draft to the latter for the total amount. This draft the paymaster could cash in London, and account to individuals for their respective amounts. The other banks, Mr. Callender stated, had all agreed to issue drafts, at. par. to members of the Contingents. THE ELECTIONS. PETITION TO PARLIAMENT. Last evening petitions of Otago members of the Expeditionary Force were presented to Parliament, praying that tho signatories .(who numbered 880) should not be deprived of voting at the, general elections. The Prime Minister (Hoii. W. F. Massey) stated in ttie House that on Tuesday next a Bill giving the right to vote to members of the Force.would be brought down. The question of the election of candidates for. Parliament and the licensing issue were covered in the Bill. . Compulsory Parades. In these present active times in Territorial circles, tho weekly parades hare gradually dropped off in attendance. They are still compulsory, and attention is called to , 'the fact that "A," "B," and "C" companies, sth (Wellington) Regiment, will recommence parades on Monday evening. Parade's of "D" company have already been notified in company orders' issued by Major Ross These parades are compulsory. Naval Reserve Officers.

It is -understood that official advice has lwen received from ,the Admiralty to the effect that R.N.R. officers are not now required to act as. transport officers on the New Zealand troopships. All officers who have been appointed to transports will be recalled.

The following motion relative . to thirty-two .of its members joining tho Expeditionary Force was passed, on the motion of Mr. A. S. Biss, at the annual meeting last night of. the Star Boating Club.—"That this general meeting of, the Star Boating Club desires- to record ! its congratulation to the thirty-two members and several.exmembers who have been- selected for the Expeditionary Forco in connection with the war now operating in Europe and elsewhere. This meeting, further desires to convey to each of those members its good wishes and its firm conviction that they will uphold tho honour of the country they represent, and will creditably assist ,in fighting the be.ttles of the Empire to which we are all. so proud to belong.]' The motion' was'carried by acclamation, and subse-' quently ''God Save the King" was sung by those present. , FIREMEN ON TROOPSHIPS ALLEGED REFUSAL OF DUTY. Twenty firemen from His Majesty's Troopship No'.' 6 wore arrested' between 6 and 7 o'clock Inst night for allegedly refusing to do duty. They will appear in the Magistrate's Court this morning, and will ho charged accordingly. The cause of their- alleged refusal of duty was owing, it is stated, to tho dilForcnco in wages of the crows* of .-the Transport No. 6 as well as of Transport No. 7, and tho orews of Transport No. 3 and Transport No. 4—all troopships. The.. crews • of the former are under Home articles, that is to say, that iircmon .from these two boats get £5 a month, and no overtime, whereas on Transports Nqs. ,3, ami 4. the" men ■JW3SSH& i%jfey<>..Zta]aßd,,#&»s&Lxfttk

of wages, namely £10 a month and ■ overtime after eight hours' work. The four troopships mentioned are bound on the same journey and for the samo purpose. The firemen, on Transports 6 and 7 contend that they should receive the samo rate of wages as the men on: Transports 3 and 4. It is understood that tho Government has offered the men of Transports 6 and .7 £2 a month; extra, but the men will not' take these terms; they wish tho yuaranteo to be put in writing on the ship's articles. "SLACKERS" ■ IN OUR CITIZEN ARMY. "I will adopt my previous course, and adjourn all Defence cases sine die," said Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., in tho Magistrate's' Court yesterday morning. It was mentioned'that altogether there were two hundred Defence cases pending to date.

Inspeotor Hendrey: A number of these are slackers, and have taken advantage of Your "Vyorship's decision not bo go on with Defence oases, and accordingly absented themselves from drill. If it was ever necessary to carry out tie Defence scheme it is now. The Magistrate: Yes, that is so. I sm very sorry to hear what you say about these slackers, and I think such cases should be proceeded with. Inspector Hendrey remarked that on the other hand he had observed that quite a number who used to appear in Court 1 had left with the First Contingent. It was suggested that a parade should ■be, called, and that all "slackers" who failed to attend should be prosecuted. fIiOTOR RESERVE Colonel A. M. Myers, Officer Commanding the Motor reports the receipt of the following additional gifts: Austin Quick (Wellington), one push bicycle.'•-..-

E. B; M. Walmsley (Musselburgh, Dunedin), one. push bicycle. C.'Hunter (Porangahau), one 6-h.p. Clyno motor-cycle and side-car. Crawley, Ridley and Co. (Wellington), £6 donation, and free fitting of tires to Straker lorry. ' • '. Wm. Robinson (Makotuku, H. 8.), one bicycle. I jjlartinborough State School, £8 for purchase of bicycle. '.'.■■■ FOOD PRICES COMMISSION SET UP. The Prime Minister (tho Hon. W. F. Massey) announced in tho House of Representatives last evening the personnel of the Commission which has been bos up under the Regulation of Trade Mid Commerce Act, ae follows:—

His Honour Thomas Walker '•'. Stringer,. K.C., Judge of the Court of Arbitration (chairman).' ' . Tho Hon. John Barr, M.L.C. ' Mr. Jame3 Begg,-Mosgiel. Mr. Geo. Joseph Garland, Auckland. Mr. William M. Milne, Oamaru. Mr. George Wilson, Wellington. Tho order of reference is:— (a) ■■ The state of the prices in ' New Zealand of wheat, flour, bread, oatmeal, beef, mutton, and any other artioies whatever of food or drink, on. the first day of August, 1914, and at any time thereafter. ■ (b) Tho quantity, situation, demand, supply, or ,possession, of any such articles of food, or drink,' in New Zealand. _ (c) The advisability of the exercise by the Governor-in-Council of tile power to fix and determine .the maximum price in New Zealand of any. of such articles of food or driiik,.'and whether different maximum prices should be fixed for the same articles of food or drink' in respect of different forms, modes, conditions,- or localities, of trade, commerce, sale, or supply. Replying to questions Mr. Massey said phut tho Commission would have practically a free hand as to localities, but would commence its work in Wellington; that there was power to compel people to give evidence; and that Labour was represented- on the Commission by the Hon. J.. Barr. IMPRESSIONS AND CONTRASTS GERMAN SOLDIERS,AND THE' Major Norton, D.5.0., who arrived here by the Manuka from Sydney on Wednesday last, recently visited all the country which is at present known as the seat of war. "Some two years ago," lib said, in the course of an interview yesterday, "I visited the Balkan States, nnd I'had opportunity'of observing tho military activities of those States,- and also of Austria-Hungary. I have also •been present at the recent German and French military manoeuvres, and- thoso gave me opportunity of forming some opinion, of the relative efficiency and preparedness for war of the two countries, v "It appeared to me that the German 'Tommy to-day is exactly the same as 50 years ago—that is, he-is merely a machme impelled on to action by the fear of his officer. To my mind everything opposite obtains in regard , to tho English and French soldiers.- The English 'Tommy' to-day is quite a different article- to what he was 30 years ago. Ho has been taught to think for himself. Ho has a respect for-Ms officer, whilo I feel that', tho same description applies to the French soldior. Then as regards the artillery of .tho two .coutftries, I have had the opportunity of closely observing the practice of tho English Artillery, and have also seen the French at work. I should eay that their average shooting is a long way ahead of the Gernians. As ■ for the French Artillery, it is -wonderful."

Major Norton remarked that he could not see how it would bo possible for tho' Germans to carry on the war through the winter months. "The food question alone' points to tho fact that thii war will terminate within the next few months. 'As a nation," ho said, "I'm convinced that they did- not want par. lam intimately acquainted with a very large number of German merchants, as it has been my business to conduct* fruit trade with them for the past eight or nine years, and have had jiiimcrous opportunities of discussing business with them. It is a well-known fact that the military party, backed up by the Agrorian Party, although in tho minority, rules tho majority. This is accounted for by the fact that the masses of tho_ people have not equal representation in. the Reichstag, as have tho agrarian and military parties."

On Monday next Major Norton is to address a meeting at Featherston at 2 p.m.! Mr. Q. Donald presiding, and on Wednesday, at tho invitation of. tho' Banners' Union, ho will address a Masterton meeting, at 2 [),in., Sir, Hugh