MR ALLEN INTERVIEWED

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2461, 14 May 1915, Page 7

MR ALLEN INTERVIEWED

RECRUITING SATISFACTORY

MONEY IN HAND FOR PUBLIC WORKS

(By Telegraph.—Pr«sa Association.) Ghrlstohurch, May 13. The Hon. James Allen, Minister of Finance and Defence, arrived in Chrisu church this morning from 'Wellington. Mr. Allen is making a series of inspections to-day and to-morrow. This morning he went out to tho Institute for the Deaf and Dumb at Sumner, and in the afternoon ho motored out to Burnham Industrial School. From Burnham he went to Ashburton to speak at the ceremony of the crowning of the Queen of tho Carnival. To-morrow ho returns to Christchurch, and will inspect the Te Orauga Home. Speaking to a reporter this morning, Mr. Allen emphasised his great satisfaction with the message sent by Sir [an Hamilton regarding tlie conduct of the Australian and New Zealand troops, though the message was not unexpected, for Australasian people were fully prepared to hear that their men had acquitted themselves in a soldierly manner.

Mr. Allen was asked if the Government contemplated anything m the nature of calling out every able-bodied man to the colours.- "I don't think for a moment that it will be necessary," he said. "The recruiting in all districts seems to be quite satisfactory, and so far as I can see we shall not need to do anything in the nature of compulsion.

The Maori Contingent. "I don't know whether you havo heard that the Maori Contingent is now at Malta," said the Minister. "The men will undergo a period of training on that island before they go where they '•are to get—to the front. Their behaviour has been all that can be desired so far, and they have mado a good impression wherever they have been."

Is a second Maori contingent going to be sent?

"That has not been decided upon yet," was the reply, "but, of course, we shall have to send along the usual percentage of reinforcements to the Maori Battalion." Dominion Finances. Referring to finances, Mr. Allen said that considering the war conditions he was well satisfied with the position in the Dominion. "We have a surplus of £140,000, and I can see my way clear to finance all necessary public works for at least six months ahead without any necessity for seeking outside help."