EVENTS IN N.Z.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2243, 1 September 1914, Page 7

EVENTS IN N.Z.

THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE AWAITING THE CALL PLANS FOR SUPPLEMENTARY CONTINGENTS. A MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.. Preparations for the dispatch of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force have been completed, and the contingent is now ready in all particulars to respond immediately it receives the Imperial order to sail from New Zealand. "It is our duty to keep the force up to the strength and size at which it is sent away," the Minister of Defence stated yesterday. "The Imperial policy is to maintain a steady improvement of the British forces at the front, and though we may not be required to improve our numbers, it is necessary that we should make provision for shrinkage in the Now Zealand force caused by sickness and wastage, by sending additional men." ■ Mr. Allen indicated that the first supplementary contingent will be composed largely of men who volontcered for the mam force, and were not required. "The number of volunteers was considerably in excess of the numbers required," said Mr. Allen. "When the time comes to ask for further volunteers, if necessary we shall ask for theni" The Palmerston North camp was visited.on Saturday by Sir J. G. Ward and Messrs. Buick, Dickson, Bollard, Escott, Harris, and other members of Parliament.- On Sunday, Mr. L. G. and Mrs. West, parents of the late Trooper West, who "died last week, presented tlie-.New Zealand ensign to' his late camp:'s6mrades of J Battery. Quarter-master-Sergeant Cuff, acknowledging the gift, said they would hoist the flag wherever "they possibly could on the same occasion as the Union Jack.