EVENTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2247, 5 September 1914, Page 8

EVENTS IN NEW ZEALAND.

VOLUNTEERS 1 FOR THE FRONT.

TROOPS WAITING FOR THE WORD TO EMBARK. .

MEN AMPLY INSURED.

VOTES OF THE TROOPERS TO BE TAKEN IN CAMP TO-DAY

(By Telegraph.—Special Corrcepondcnt.) Palmerston North, September 4.

In spite of the splendid weather which ■ has characterised tho whole of the period of the encampment until today's gale swooped down, it has been unavoidable that many colds approaching toward pneumonia should occur. One old campaigner, explaining this, says it is inseparable from a fixed camping ground. He lias always noticed this to be the case, and he therefore disposes of tho theory that these men rt-ould still have developed colds if they had remained at homo;, but, he adds, "I never know coids occur when on tho march. When tho men are at the front, or even if they were moving to new ground frequently, there would be no colds. He thinks they aro chiolly duo to emanations from tho soil covered by canvas, and to the.extent to which straw absorbs this and becomes faintly mouldy. IThat the authorities 'also subscribe to this view is suggested by the fact that in a number or cases the tents have .this week pegged out new claims, and fresh supplies of straw were issued.

had no other course but to allow the General's order to stand. (Members: Hear, hear.) ( THE AUCKLAND SECTION. (By Telegranh—Tiess Association.) Auckland, September 4. The Auckland section ot the Expeditionary Force has been hard at work at rifle practice and drill during the week. The meu will attend the Auck-land-Wellington, Rugby representative football match to-day. The Regimental Band will accompany the infantry battalion of the Auckland troops.

Yesterday's big march of the infantry embraced numerous suburbs in the neighbourhood of Newbury and Kairanga, with lunch by the roadside furnished from tho commissariat wagons.. Comprehensive pamphlets containing hints for soldiers - going to tho front have been distributed among tho men. They remove many perplexities as to what to expect and provide for on the journey, and on the battlefield, and contain valuable scraps of worldly wisdom. The Palmerston ■ Ministors'' Association ■is conducting roguliir weekly meetings of prayor for the success of British arms._ The third of the series was'held last night at the Congegational Church, 100 attending, including mosti of the local ministers and clergy.

AWAITINC ORDERS. DATE OF SAILING NOT FIXED YET. Arrangements outside the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Government have to ,be completed before the Expeditionary Force can be dispatched, and no information has yet reached the Prime Minister that would enable him to announce the date of departure. Mr. Massey_ yesterday -that if sufficient notice is given he will visit Auckland to farewell tho troops that are to sail from there. AGENT FOR THE FORCE. ~ HIGH COMMISSIONER MAY ACT.' "Mr. J. A. Young (Waikato) asked the Minister of Defenco in the House of Representatives last evening if any arrangement had been .made to appoint a civil agent-for tho troops who wero going abroad. Tho Hon. J. Allen replied that tho matter was under consideration, and that he could not give a definite answer just then. Ho proposed to ask the High Commissioner to arrange for the recoipt and forwarding of goods to the New Zealand troops. Tho public would be advised of the things which wiU be most suitable) to the men, as during tlie South African war the most .absurd things (which did not reach the troopers) were sent from here—such as a dozen bottles of soda water. INSURANCE OF SOLDIERS, PROVISION AMPLE. A' question was asked of tho Minister of Defence in the House last night hy Mr. J. A. Young regarding the insurance of members of the Expeditionary Force. He asked whether the Government wero taking into consideration any . scheme for the insurance of men in the force, in addition to that provided for under the Defence Act. ' Tho Hon; J. Allen: No, sir. Tlie Goverenment has not done so. Tlie Defence Act of' 1909 makes provision for loss of life, and for payments to the widow's, and payments to children. It also provides for injuries sustained on active service, and I don't think the Government are called upon to make any other provision than that contained in the Defence Act of 1909,. . ,■ - . - A PRESS CORRESPONDENT. TO GO TO THE FRONT. Mr. H. Atmore asked the Minister of Defence in the House of Representatives last night whether Press correspondents were to be allowed to accompany the Expeditionary Force. Ho understood, he said, that a precedent had been established by allowing a Press correspondent to go with the Samoa Expedition. • Tho Hon. J. Allen eaid that one correspondent had been allowed to-go to Samoa, and he would probably return from there with the first ship. Arrangements were being made , with the War Office for one man to go to the front with' the' main New ■ Zealand force, on behalf of the New Zealand Press. ■ Mr.-Atmore: Is the man selected yet? Mr. Allen: Yes. Mr. Atmoro: What is his name? Mr. Allen: Scholofield, of New Zealand. Ho has written a book—a very well-known num. ' Mr. Guy Scholefield, the Pressman rereforred to received his journalistic training in Wclington. He is now in London acting as correspondent there for several Now Zealand newspapers. CIGARETTES ON TROOPSHIPS. PROHIBITION TO STAND. . A prohibition of cigarette smoking on the troopships has been given by the military authorities, and a request for an explanation of this action was made in the House of Representatives last evening by Mr. J. S. Dickson, M.P. He explained that after merchants had been invited tho tender to canteen troopships according to- an official list, including cigarettes, an order was issued that tobacco in this form was not to be taken on tho ships, as the General Officer Commanding wis advised "that cigarette smoking is , not only injurious to health, but that on a. crowded ship it introduces a gravo elomont of danger from fire." Mr. Dickson remarked that cigarettes were allowed on tho ■Moeraki and Monowai, and were- being 6old at tho camp canteens, while the canteens of tho Australian ships woro | being stocked with cigarettes. The Minister of Defence replied thn,t ho had boon assured by General Godley that ho considered tho smoking of cigarettes unsafe on ■ troopships and likely to injure the health of tho mon. Considering Jffllx &fi.ns.U qf. Jjjjß,-Mr.. AJ]en. eajd ho.