TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1917, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

Per Press Association.--.C/opyrigh FRIGE cFpAPERS Risjn io twopence Wellington, Match 18 F The proprietors of three Wclluigtoj ' newspapers have announced tliai 01 : and after April 2nd tlio price of tliei journals will bo two-pence per copy, ow ing to the greatly increased cost of pro duction, paper alone having nearh trebled in prico since tlie outbreak o war. Protecting SoldiersWellington, March 17 are gazetted, absolutely protecting soldiers’ estates from the civil process, while they are on active service. Transport Fleet Wellington, Match 16 The Minister of Defence, Sir James Allen, informed a correspondent to-day that owing to the dislocation of the timetable which for some months the New Zealand transports had besn able to maintain, the Government has found it necessary to take over from the owners the control of . t;vo more large ocean liners well known in New Zealand waters. These Will be used for the transport of troops, and also for the ciuriage of New Zealand products to England. Theological Students Naher, March 16 The Military Service Board dismissed the appeals of two theological students from St Mary’s Seminary, but will request the Defenoa Department to give the appellants concombatants’ work. Convict Escapes. Wellington, March 19 John Dome, who was eeatonced to five years in August of last year, for assault on a girl, escaped from Terrace Gaol on Saturday. It is surmised that he auceaeded iu making his way to the wall and climbed over. Ills absence wa6 not immediately noticed. Inquiries disclosed that he was peso in Brooklyn. A party of police and detectives were dispatched to try and trace the runaway.

The country between Terawhiti and Brooklyn is beiug scoured. It appears that the man was able to change his prison garb, scon after leaving the prison, How this was accomplished is not known, but it is rumored that he stuck up a man and forced him to part with his coat.

The convict, up to tho present, is stiil at large.

IVlr Russell’s Statement.

Wellington, March 14

The Hon G, W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affaire, commenting on the Melbourne cable message reporting Mr Hughes’ intention of communicating with the New Zealand Government on the subject of Australians over military age being prohibited from ieaviDg the Dominion, said that he had no knowledge of any specific cases, but inquiry would ba made on receipt of the Australian Government’s communication.

Mr Russell said: ‘Tt depends upon the definition of ‘Australian citizen.’ If it means someone who has lived at one time in Australia and has lived in New Zealand for a sufficient length of time t < become a resident of New Zealand under the terms of the Military Service Act, ihe Government of New Zealand has its own responsibility. If on tho other hand the case ia that of a person who, beiug a resident of Australia has come to Now Zealand purely on hoiiday to virit New Zealand, tha Government does not prevent him returning to bis own country. There have been cases of people who have come to New Zealand and taken up positions here. In such cases they are regarded as residents of New Zealand.