IN THE COMMONWEALTH

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3096, 29 May 1917, Page 6

IN THE COMMONWEALTH

OUR SOLDIERS' GOOD NAME

AUSTRALIANS CURIOUS ABOUT

"CONSCRIPTS"

"While in Sydney I was able to visit the Liverpool Camp, and saw the New Zealand boys there," said the Eon. W. I). S. Mac Donald, in. an interview with a Dominion reporter. "1 also had the privilege of seeing them march through George Street, Sydney, when they receivud a splendid reception from tho people of that citr. Military men and other responsible persons with whom I came in contact were loud in. their praises of the discipline aud the splendid conduct of tho New Zealand troops during their stay at Liverpool Camp. "I was frequently questioned regarding the Military Service Act operating ia New Zealand, and was able to show that it was working smoothly, and with the general approval of the majority of our people. Australians appear to use the word 'conscript , very freely, and I told my questioners that the word was seldom used or heard in New Zealand; that the whole Dominion ■understood the Military Service Act and the classification of the men, and that' so far the Government had had very little difficulty in operating the Act.

"I was .strongly impressed with the feeling of loyalty in the people I met in Australia, and with the splendid work that is being done there by the Bed Cross, the Y.M.C.A., and others in connection with military hospitals and rest homes for soldiers. In this connection I must mention specially the military hospital at C'aulfield, where there is accommodation for about six hundred men, and where the organisation seems to be very complete. Certainly great credit is due to the Victorian people, as the bulk of the work is done voluntarily. I visited, also, various other rest homes nnd places of amusement for. soldiers, nud all seemed to be organised on a sound basis, and to be giving great satisfaction to the men generally. The women of Australia, like the women .of New Zealand, 'are doTug splendid work in all branches where they can assist ia connection with soldiers' homes auo! hospitals.