MR MACDONALD'S VISIT

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1917, Page 1

MR MACDONALD'S VISIT

The Wheat Purchase- / WELLINGTON, May 28. Hon- W. D. S. MacDonald, w».o u;» returned to Wellington, says that arrangements have been made with the Commonwealth Government to purchase 1,000,000 bushels of wheat, ami for the shipment of same to New land. The Commonwealth has a larj. e surplus of wheat and is finding a difficulty in protecting it from the weather and other deteriorating causes. While in Sydney, Hon. Mr. MacDonald saw tlie New Zealand Corps ah Liverpool Camp, and also saw them march through George Street, when they received a splendid reception. Military men and other rcspo.asib 3 persons were loud in their praises f t flic discipline and good conduct of th x New Zealand troops. Mr McDonald was frequently quo; - tinned regarding “The Military Service Act” in New Zealand, and wf ; able to show that it is working smoothly, and has the general approval of thj majority of our people.

Be'gian Relief . Appeals Suspended. WELLINGTON, May 28. Hon G. W. Russel (Minister of Internal Affairs) states that owing to reports received regarding Belgium, the Government has resolved not to forward any more moneys for the relief of Belgians in the meamtime, as the American Government has undertaken the whole, burden of caring for the Belgians population. Neither would the Government send any moneys under seait existing provincial quota scheme. It was suggested that moneys obtained now should be held for the. purpose of repatriating Belgians after the w*.. Tlie appeal for funds for the relief of Belgium in the British Empire was to be suspended.. Considerable funds are held by the High Commissioner on account of the Belgian relief fund. On March 28th. he had £31,000 and since that date lie must have receive £14,000 so the total is now about £4o, 000. No anouncemont has yet been made as to the disposal of this money, whether it is to be handed over to the Relief Committee or held for the purposes named by the Hon. G. W. Russell.

A Diamond Jubilee.

WELLINGTON, May 20.

The Wellington Presbytery entertained Rev. James Paterson at luncheon today on the occasion of tlie diamond Jubilee of his ordination to the ministry, and presented him with an address conveying ooiTgratula ti o ns, and recalling his great services to tlie church and cuse of education. " r/

Jlr. Pa terse n replying said-he was licensed to the ministry in 1854 the year of the Crimeaax war and ordained in 1857 in Liverpool. After labouring for 11 years there ho obeyed a call to come to Now Zealand and that day had reached his 88th birthday.

Appeal for MenMELBOURNE, May 28. Hon. Mr Pearce is appealing for 5000 recruits immediately to replace the five thousand survivors of the first division who are stall fighting and who ought to return to* Australia on furlough. He proposes to ask the Wvemmcmit to consider the matter.