A CASE TO ANSWER.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1917, Page 3

A CASE TO ANSWER.

Strong Complaints From Dunedin. Dunedin, April IC There was a heated discussion at today’s meeting of the Patriotic Executive over the Government's methods of dealirg with soldiers’ interests, and also relating (omidical examinations ; the lack of dnanc'ai provision for men rejected in camo and the distribution of patriotic contributions for the supply of comforts for New Zealand soldiers ’ oversea?. One case v.aa cited in which a home missionary hud been njacted in camp "S for herrio, and on beicg discharged, had undergone an operation, costing him about £35. to pay which ho bad to sell his furniture. The Government, it was stated, absolutely re fused to recognise any responsibility. Special reference was made to ihe fact that the Government held £6,000 contributed for the supply of comforts and could not, or would not, explain why tho mon3y was not sent away and also refused to return it.

Attention was also drawn to the Bystem of placing retained soldiers on land irrespective of their knowledge or circumatanoss, thus inevitably courting failure. Tbe position generally was described as a perfect scandal, and one speaker said that what waa required was ‘’force of public opinion to take the Government by the neck.” east African campaign General South's Despatch (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) (Received April 19, at 12.6 p.m.) London, April 18 The Gazette publishes a despatch • from General detailing operationa in German Ejet Africa from October 28tb, 1916, to January 20tb, when he relinquished the command. After mentioning the evacuation of 10,000 white troops at the end of 1916, owing to ;ha prevalence of malaria and dysentery, and their raplacement by native*, hs empbas’e s that the snccofß hhber'o achieved in the mosc trying, exacciag campaign was mainly due to the unremitting efforts and resolute endurance of all ranks. He highly tributes the work of the Navy and the ready, effective assistance of the Governments of India, South Africa, British East Africa, Uganda and Zarzibar. He details the services ot the Indian Government, including the ke?piug up of a fi.iw of reinforcements and providing *ho eat re food supply of the Indian troops, besidoa flour and certain stores for the British troops, also large quantities of other supplies. The Government of South Africa maintained a steady flow of reinforcements, supplies and enormous numbers of colored labourers, many thousand horses, mnlea and dcmkeys, hundreds of motor cars and waggon? and larye quantities of foodstuff; and other supplies Ali his demands were exjctu&d. Submarine Toll (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) (Received April 19, at 1.30 p m.) London, April 18 Tho Admiralty resorts the arrivals for tho week at 2,379, railings 2,331, sunk 19 of over 1,600 tons, and 9 under 1,600 tens. Fifteen wer9 unsuccessfully attacked, and 12 fishers

were sunk, An Italian naval communique slates P for the week ending 15jh April, 454 ships arrived, and 419 left Italy. Five Italian ships under 3,500 tons were sunk and two eailero under 150 tons were sunk. In the Commons. LONDON, April 17.*' In the Houso of Commons Mr, Bouar Law added that the “Nation’s” articles pleaded for peace and asserted that the British troops on the west front were outmanouvered and found wanting. Such a publication was undesirable. If . the same action had been taken with the Labour Leader it would not have provoked comment. Mr. Winston Churchill Considered that the Nation’s articls were less alarming and prejudical than Mr. Lloyd George’s recent statements! on the war outlook, and were mild reading compared with tho Dardanelles report.