NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2719, 14 March 1916, Page 6

NEWS AND NOTES.

Why dont you go yourself?" was the question asked of the Mayor of Westport last week (says tlio "Westport Times") at the send-off at the Drillshed by a man in the audience. "If the man who asked the question will come forward I will give my answer," replied the Mayor. A well-built, man, who said ho bad a brother amongst the draft for the 11th Reinforcements, at onco stepped out of the crowd. The Mayor said he was glad Unit the questioner was man enough lo como forward, lie then explained that as Mayor ho had a number of duties to perform,'' but principally in seeing to Hie dispatch o c the troops, looking sft'-r those wh-.i returned; and seeing thai t'leii relatives left behind were provided foi. AVhen tlio opportunity camo li° v.ould go readily, and if ho had his heart's desire ho would be at,the front now. f The Mayor of Karori (Mr. B. G. H. Burn) believes that the best results in canvassing for recruits will be obtained in sending out the mothers, wives, and sisters of those 'who have gone to the front to .make a house-to-house canvass. Mr. Burn says that no 0110 has a bettor or more indisputable right to ask a man to 'go and "do his bit" than a woman who has given up, and in many cases, lost uer men folk, and at the meeting of the Karori Borough Council, Uo" be held this evening, lie intends to ask the council's support in making a canvass of the district on the lines suggested.

Inquiries were made at the City Group Office of the Defence Department yesterday as to the issue of arm badges. j It was stated that the Group Office is out of badges at present. Two hundred badges were sent to the' office— 100 for men. waiting to go into camp, and 100 for men unfit for service. The Auckland Recruiting Coiiimitteo (states a, Press Association message from Auckland) is of opinion that efforts similar to .those adopted hero, to secure recruits should be adopted in the throe . southern cities, Auckland has been called upon to supply over 100 additional men for th 9 14th Reinforcements, and the task lias been rendered an easy one, owing io tho establishment of the City Recruiting Bureau and the energetic efforts of tho committee. ; j

Up to the present SOS roeruits have enlisted through the Napier Soldiers' Club.

Tli> Hawke's Bay County chairman (Mr. Mason Chambers)' has b'esn ap. pointed recruiting officcr for the Hawke's Bay County. ! At tlie Petone Borough' Council's meeting last evening, . the 'Recruiting Committee asked if the council could arrange for the free uso of a hall for a recruiting meeting on an .evening between March 20 and 25, and the Mayor and Councillor Forsyth were appointed to make the necessary arrangements. , The recruiting meeting at St. Thomas's Schoolroom this evening will be adiifossed by the Hon. \\ r ; Earnsbaw, M.L.O.i Serpfi.-Mnjnr Dent, .Q-M.-S. Brown,, and Messrs. D. iM'Laren and W. Maddison.

Some days ago the Mayor of Auckland, speaking of the improved rate of family separation allowances conceded by the Defence Department,. expressed the view that a soldier with more than four children should not be penalised by the stoppage of the scale at four. On this matter being placed before the Minister of Defence in Auckland, Mr. Allen denied that a soldier with more than four children was penalised. "No one," proceeded the Minister, "compels such a man to serve. If he has more than four children finder 16—note that they must be under 16—it is for him to consider whether his duty to his family- or his dutv to the Empire is the greater. I have' nqt asked married men with families to go to the front until wo have had all the single men without dependents. If the married man roluntwrs we' accept him; and we arc now making him" an allow-' ance of 2s. a day more than- we have made hitherto."

Rowland. Jeweller, 90 Manners Street is the firm who are giving 15 per cent.- (3s. in the .£) to soldiers or their friends when purchasing, anything for them. Badges, wristlet watches, engagement rings, etc. See Rowland about it.—Advt.