EVENTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2245, 3 September 1914, Page 6

EVENTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

TROOPS FOR EUROPE.

DOINGS AT THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS

VOTES FOR THE SOLDIERS.

KNOTTY PROBLEM DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT.

(By MeeraDh.-rSjfiolal Correspondent.) Palmerston North, September 2.

The camp at Awapuni possesses its human side. This is provided by the mothers, sisters, and, in some cases, wives, who daily cling to camp to see all that is possible in. those fasMlittiiig days of their boys. Some of- these, particularly the mothers, have come long distances—in several cases fifty miles.. In contrast with the exhilarating activity of the camp, these mothers are having a very drab time. They visit the camp sometimes before breakfast, and a-lwaye with a basket, and wait tliere all day long, and every day, for the few hours that are vouchsafed K> .them of frioir son's' company. Tliere is nothing sure or -regular about the day's duties, and the time off may oome early or late. Hence the patient maternal waitings. ' A gentleman m charge of one of the- recreation tents who was also at Takapaiv and other camps told a Dominion-• representative that thie is the best camp he_ was ever -at. He is astonished sometimes at its splendid moral tone. These men, he consfaers, will make fine comrades to fight with. One of the surprises of the camp is the rapidity with which civilian men have swung into training. There has been commendable economy of powder. Though the rattle of the mnsket at the butts echoes over the town daily, there has not been a single shot fired in tho <Jamp ceremonially, aind tho artillery guns havo not been fired at all. Traiuing has been confined so far to various other movements'in connection with the guns short of actual firing. It was intended to send- the entire battery of six guns with the ammunition column through to WellfHgton on Thursday morning, when they would have paraded from Thomdon Station to the barracks. The gurs and wagons' are all safely loaded on trucks at Palmorston Station, under sentries ready to depart . I am officially informed tonight, however, they will not comrj through to-morrow.' AUCKLAND TROOPS. , 'A NIGHT IN THE OPEN. Auckland. September 2. Infantry troops who marched to Manurewa yesterday and slept in the open had an unpleasant experience, as heavy rain fell during the night. The troops did not grumble at the conditions, and accomplished a fine performance on the march back to tho mobilisation camp this morning. AH were then granted leavo for the day. . SOUTHERN CAMP. THE SCARLET .FEVER OUTBREAK. Christchuroh, September, 2. No further cases of scarlatina have occurred at tho Aldington camp be* yond the two already reported, and the contacts are repojtejj to be in the best of health. The victims of the outbreak &ro Lieutenant Miles and Private Kidd, of B (South Canterbury) Company In- ' fantry Regiment. ■ Lieutenant v Miles, who was platoon commander, was one of the Duntroou College Cadets. Hβ passed at the top of the list at College this year, and returned home to Canterbury just in time to report himself for service. Ho will now be laid up for something like six. weeks, but should be Able to pet away with the reinforcements contingent. HINTS TO THE TROOPS. WHAT TO DO ON ACTIVE SERVICE. In a pamphlet issued hy the Defence Department to the Expeditionary Force, entitled "General Instructions for the Guidance of All.Ranks," the following items of information are given:— Clothing Equipment. A second service suit (jacket or trousers'or riding-breeches) is to be issued to all N.C.O.'s and men.- This suit is to be left at the base. AH articles of olothing and equipment must be marked before embarkation. Chin-straps must be provided for hats. All ranks should possess a pair of deck-shoes.' Safety matches only to be taken; no -wax matches allowed on board transports. Se-a-caps or woollen helmets are essential. All ranks are advised to 'take 1 jerseys, and to remember that it will be cold autumn weather in Europe. All N.C.O.'s should, if possible, be in possession of field-glasses (binoculars), also a notebook -with indelible pencils, and cholera-belt. Bach N.C.O. and man will take two private blankets with him, which, m tno oase of the infantry, ,will be,carried in tho field on two generalservice wagons (extra to the establishment) per battalion. . Letters to the Troops. The correct method of addressing their correspondence—viz., Number, rank, initials, nxime, company, regiment,.. or corps, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, care of General Post Office, .Wellington. No ■ other address is necessary. Cencral Health. The men are strongly advised to practise abstaining from drinking any liquid during the day—that is to say, between breakfast and the evening- meal. It is important that scrupulous care should be taken of .-Sta feet. Boots should be kept well greased,' dubbed, or-oiled; All ranks are advised to "break in" new, boots on the voyage. Socks should be of' thick grey wool. - - A dentist will-bo on boardi each transport, and all ranks should fully avail themselves of his services, as sound teeth make for efficiency. The men are to bo irominded that on the voyage their first aim and object should be to keep themselves fit in every respect, and that each man out of the firing-line is a drag on his comrades. • It should be noted that cigarette-smoking impairs a man's marching power. . No liquor of any sort or description will be.allowed on board, except that in charge of tho medical ■ officer ,_ for medical purposes. This prohibition includes tho officers' mess. All bars are to be sealed. Field Service. The only artiples a man will take with him into the field, are' those- he carries in his' greatcoat, havorsack, and in tho pockets of his field service dress. Two blankets per man are allowed, and those will be carried in the case of infantry in two G.S. wagons (supernumerary) to tho establishment per battalion. Kit-bapcs will bo' left at the base, together with the kit not already montioned in chargo of the officer, in command of the baso details of the man's unit. Olio storema-n per squadron, battery., company, etc., will be detailed for duty at the base! Ho will J)o in possession of a nominal roll of all men in his squadron, battery, company, etc., and he will bo in charßO of all articles loft at the base, of which ho will keep an inventory. Each squadron, battery, and company, should form itself into a

separate mess. It will therefore necessary for officers of squadrons, batteries, and companies to fit themselves out with a complete field kit. Headquarters of units should make similar arrangements. MAORI DEMONSTRATION. ANXIOUS TO SERVE TEE EMPIRE. ißy Telegraph—Prees Association,) Hastings, September 2. The Maoris here are madly- excited about the war, and are keenly anxious to assist the Empire. - To-day they held a great demonstration at Waipahi pa. Terrific hakas were danced and patriotio speeches -were given by leading chiefs, which aroused groat enthusiasm. Tho Maoris auctioned their horses, sheopi and cattle, and sold curios, and as a result of the demonstration the Patriotio Funds will benefit considerably. ...