EVENTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2244, 2 September 1914, Page 6

EVENTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

STRICT TRAINING AT AWAPUNI CAMP.

SOLDIERS' DEPENDENTS.

THE VOLUNTEERS AND THEIR VOTING RIGHTS.

Another successful week's training has been accomplished at the Awapuni camp, says the "Manawatu Standard," and the men are at present in very fine fettle, all eagerly anticipating the next event—their departure from New Zealand. Saturday was not a very fine day, a strong westerly wind being decidedly unpleasant after the fino sunny spring days that had lasted until then. Generally speaking, it was an off-day for the camp, and was spent by the men in looking after their kits and in recreation. A good many availed themselves of leave, and came to town, where their orderly behaviour, was freely remarked en, and indeed has been quite a feature of their conduct generally. Effect of the Training. • Practically the whole of the training has been of an .elementary nature. The raw material has been quickly, and vigorously transformed by the' steady routine of training, and is fast developing into the finished soldier. For the infantry there has been ,one steady round of physical drill, and platoon and company drill, while on several days the regiment was marched to and from the rifle range for musketry and marcliing oxercise. The marching has had a most beneficial effect. ! There is no roomifor tho sluggard at Awapuni, and knowing this the men have knuckled down to the work with a, will with the one aim—to fully fit themselves for anything they may have to undergo. The smart appearance and big improvement made were quite noticeable when the men paraded io receive the band instruments, and evoked general admiration; Thp mounted men have been carrying out squadron and other drill, while the engineers, signallers, and I other branches have each carried out, i under their respective company com- • manders, the training peculiar to each. Ono particularly satisfactory featuro of the camp is the discipline. It has often been said that the New Zealander is not very amenable to discipline. That may apply to some, but to those now in camp it does not, and the remarks made by Major-General Sir A. J. Godley when ho inspected tho men a week ago have borne good fruit. General Health Splendid. Although colds have been, rife amongst the men the general health has been excellent, and those who have been admitted to ' the hospjtal are men who have received minor injuries through kicks, a comman feature •of camps whore there' are large numbers of horses. The camp is conducted on the strictest lines so far as cleanliness is concerned. No nurses will be sent from tho Dominionwith tho New Zealand Expeditionary Force. A statement to this effect, was made by tho Minister of Defeiicb in the House'.'of Representatives last night, in reply to Sir Joseph Ward. Mr. Allen explained that it was considered sufficient nurses could be obtained in England.

A question was addressed to the Minister of Defence in the House'of Representatives yesterday evening regarding the arrangements, by which wives of certain ofiieors were to bo given passages to England in the troopships. Mr. Allen replied that he was glad to have the opportunity to explain the matter. Several of the Imperial officers who would accompany the force had only_ about a year to servo in the Dominion ; at the end of that period, in ordinary circumstances, the Goverment would be required to bear tho cost of the return passages to England of tho families_ of thoso officers. Upon the suggestion of tho General Officer Commanding, ho had given permission for tho wives of the half-dozen officers concerned to travel by tho transport's. In one other case, similar permission had been given, the lady concerned being the wife of an officer who was under only temporary engagement.

A NEW ZEALAND ACE*NT AT THE BASE.

PROPOSAL FROM PALMERSTON (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Palmerston North, September ].. At a meeting of tho Palmerston Patriotic Committee this afternoon it was decided to. 6end & deputation to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence with the object of getting appointed a New Zealand agent to act at the base of the New Zealand force, in a similar manner to Mr. Pilcher during tho South African War._ The object of having such an agent is to supply individual members of the force with money and any other necessaries during tho campaign. A portion of his duties would also be to supply parents with any available information regarding their sons. It was decided to ask Tor tho co-operation of other towns in tho Dominion. The date on which the deputation will go to Wellington will be 1 advised later.

SOLDIERS' DEPENDENTS.

PREFERENCE TO SINGLE MEN. Tho cases of those_ Now Zealand soldiers who aro proposing to leave with the Expeditionary Forco leaving dependents and especially wives and children inadequately provided for was mentioned in tile House of Representatives last night by Mr. G. W. Russell. He urged that preference of selection 'should be given to unmarried men, and that married men should not bo allowedto leave tho country without making provision for their relatives. The Hon. J. Allon (Minister of Defence) said that, so far as tho Department could control theso cases it was doing fio. Strict instructions had been given that men must make provision tor their dopmidonts,' for their debts, and for their insuinnco premiums. flioy were all asked to leave half their pay and more if thoy lilted for tho use of their dependents. Proforence had boen nivcn to unmarried mon, but they could not take unmarried men exclusively, because most of tho officers and non-com-missioned officers were draw from the ranks of married men. However, when reinforcements were being called for, he thought it would bo wise to send only unmarried men and instructions would bo given accordingly. MAY MAORIS SERVE ABROAD? STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER, Tho desire of Maori subjects of tho King to servo in tho ranks of tho British Army in Europo was represented to tho Government in tho House of Representatives last evening. • Sympathy with the suggestion was expressed by the Prime Minister, and ho promised to. I'onvoy the oxpionuiou of the Maoris' offers to. His Excellency tho Governor-

The subject was introduced by Mr. G M. Thomson (Dunedin North), who asked tho Prime Minister whether, in view of the employment by the British Government of Indian troops, tho v New Zealand Government was prepared to accept the military services of those of His Majesty's Maori subjects who are desirous to volunteer. "I regret to say that although I have a good deal of sympathy with tho suggestion," tho Prime Minister replied, "there has always been a sort of understanding that .coloured races, were not to bo employed in any European war. But now we have tho precedent of Indians being taken to Europe for the purpose of taking part in the present war. Maoris are free citizens of the Empire, sharing all the privileges and benefits of British citizenship, arid I do not think they should be denied the opportunity of. fighting for the Empire. ; (Hear, hear.) I shall .be very glad to | represont to His Excellency the Gov- | ernor tho suggestion made by. the member for Dunedin North." Sir Joseph Ward said that he believed the majority of the people would be proud to see the Maori, already so distingujshed for his fino fighting-quali-ties, joining in tho defence of tho Empire. . "There is undoubtedly a desire on tho part of. the Maori people to stand shoulder to shoulder with their British fellow-citizen's," said the Hon. A. T. Ngata (Eastern Maori), amidst applause. .He reminded the Minister of Defence that tho bulk of tho Maori people were beyond the limits of tho existing system of military training, and although there were Maoris enthusiastic, to go forward, they .were in ' greater need of training, than the ; pakehas who wore volunteering. Ho suggested that if tho services of Maori volunteers were accepted, concentration camps should bo immediately established in Maori districts for thp training of Native volunteers. The Maori was already well-equipped in his ability for "roughing it," but ho required instruction in the use of tho rifle, tho military commands and evolutions, and in the steadiness which seemed to be characteristic of tho noble, army under Sir John French. Mr. Ngata added that, the Arawas had offered 800 men, and tho Wairoa Natives another contingent, and he had no doubt, that if volunteers were invited, there would be enough men to i fill a. troopship.

CAPTURE OF SAMOA

NEW ZEALAND CONGRATULATED, The following telegrams congratulating New Zealand upon the capture of Samoa by lier troops have been received by His Exeolieney tie Governor and the Primo Minister:— Telegram to His Excellency tho Governor from Secretary of State for Colonies:—"London, Aiigiist 31 —With reference to your telegram of August 31, pleaso convoy to your Ministers heartiest congratulations of His Majesty's Government' on -successful', occupation of Samoa by Expeditionary .Force. (Signed) Harcourt." Telegram from His Excellency the Governor io tho' Secretary of State for tho Colonies:—"l am desired by the New Zealand Government to thank you for your cordial congratulation." Telegram from Lord Plunket to Governor of New Zealand:—"London, August 31—Bravo, New-Zealand 1 Heartiest congratulations increase to Dominion and Empire. (Signed) Plunket." Telegram from .His Excellency the Governor to, Lord Plunket: —"New Zenland desires to thank you most cordially for your hearty congratulations." Ingram from Bank of New Zealaud, LondoiS. to Prime Minister: —"London, August §I—Directors,1 —Directors, and staff,' Bank of Now Zealand, London, send congratulations on prompt occupation of Samoa."

Telegram from Administrator, Northern Territory, Commonwealth, to Prime •Minister:—"Port Darwin, Massey, Premier, Wellington. 'Well done. Hurrah! 'Signed). Gilruth." "London, August 31: — Premier, Wellington. Hearty, congratulations on your grand achievement in Samoa. New Kealanders here delighted splendid news your coup. Am desired by daughters and Sir William Jervois add their congratulations. —High Commissioner. MAIL FOR THE FORCE.. STEAMER LEAVES AUCKLAND TO- - DAY, No further information has been received by the Prime Minister regarding, tho occupation of Samoa by the New Zealand troops. Authority was. given by Mr. Massey last evening for the publication of information regarding steamship communication with Samoa in order that friends of the soldiers may forward letters to them direct. He said the Union Company had informed him that a steamer,.the Navua, wotild'leave Auckland for Suva to-day. Mails taken by this steamer would be conveyed to Samoa by an island steamer, which makes periodical trips botween Suva and Apia. He was also informed that another steamer, of the Union Company'sfleet was to make a special trip from Samoa to Fiji and hack. Mr. Massey added that .although only Auckland people would be able to take advantage of this notice of the Navua's departure, he believed letters already forwarded to the General Post Office for members of the force had been dispatched to Auckland.

COMMERCIAL CABLEGRAMS

IMPERIAL RESTRICTIONS. The prohibition against codified cablegrams was mentioned in the House . of Representatives last night by Mr. A. M. Myers (Aucland East), who asked the Postmaster-General whether tho present restrictions, might bo relaxed, as many firms of undoubted integrity wore seriously harassed by the refusal of all messages that were not plainly worded. Mr. Myers mentioned that tho restrictions imposed a severe hardship upon kauri gum merchants, whose business rolated to about ono hundred different classes of gum. The industry was at present languishing, and tho relaxation of the restrictions on cabling would bo a welcome measuro of relief. ThojHon. R. H. Rhodos replied that he quite appreciated tho difficulties imposed upon thc.kauri gum industry, but its experience was not exceptional. Mr. Myers: Have you not allowed special concessions to banks? Mr. Rhodes replied that a special concession had been mado to tho banks in connection with the remittance of money. No other concession had been allowed.' Ho explained that the restrictions were imposed b,v the Imperial authorities, and it was beyond tho power of the Government to tjiena,