ITEMS OF INTEREST

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 16 September 1915, Page 3

ITEMS OF INTEREST

(from various sources')

The Munitions Conference Committee is of opinion that New Zealand should not attempt to manufacture more than the bodies of shells.

The Maori reinforcements, now under training at Auckland, will leave for the front this month, and it has been arranged that they shall embark at Wellington.

Mr Wilkinson (Egmont) is urging the Government to tackle the sugar monopoly, and go in for State control of the tobacco and liquor business, and a State note issue. .

According to private advice, upwards of 1500 artificial limbs are needed in France for the French wounded, and more than double that* number in other belligerent countries.

The Australian Natives' Association opened on the 13th inst. an " Anzac " buffet and reading and writing rooms in London, adjoining the Commonwealth offices, for Australian and New Zealand soldiers.

Anticipation as to the possible new taxes in the Old Country include a wages tax, doubling of the income tax, higher tobacco duties, general import duties, and taxation on certain special articles.

M. Paul Balmer, a Geneva barrister, writing in the Paris Journal, says he was told by a Wurtemburg officer that it was only by a majority of two votes that the German General Staff decided to cross the Belgium frontier rather than invade Switzerland. '

A Bill has been introduced by the Government, providing for the taking over by the Government of any lands that may be required for training purposes by the Defence Department. Provision is made for payment of compensation for any damage done to the land.

Referring to the enlistment of skilled craftsmen, *' Engineer" say—"The fighting line has too large a proportion of the mentality of the nation, and the place of many of our youths of high training should be taken by others equally fitted from the physical standpoint."

The Prime Minister has adopted the plan of serving the military camps with meat from the supply which is purchased by the Government for the Imperial authorities. The system, which gives a cheaper supply than the old arrangement, has been in opera" tion for some days now, and, so far, has worked most satisfactorily.

The Germans are reported to be putting heavy tax on bachelors There was a time when Great Britain did the same thing. In the year 1694 an Act was passed *' for carrying on the war against France with vigor," whereby every bachelor above the age of 25 paid yearly Is, and an additional sum varying with his rank.

Some idea of the magnitude of the operations carried on by the Kaupokonui Dairy Factory is given in the annual report. During last season they dealt with no less than 54,094,9131bs of milk and 2,074,6681bs of butter-fat. The produce comprised 107,8001bs of factory butter, ll,oßßlbs of creamery butter, and 5,212,1941bs of cheese.

A coincidence of twin brothers having been wounded in a similar manner is shown by a recent casualty list. They are LanceCorporal P. D. Marriner and Private C. C. Marriner, sons of the late Mr W. A. Marriner, of Mount Wesley, Northern Wairoa. They left with the Fifth Reinforcements, and both have received an injury to one foot. The age of the brothers is 23 years, and they were engaged in farming at Poroti, Whangarei, until they enlisted.

Mr, X ,S. Williams, of Hawke's Bay, has been appointed to a position in the Maori forces at the front, and will leave New Zealand in a few days. The Maoris are providing him with a sum of money, which is to be used for the benefit of their kinsmen at the front. Mr Williams will not take military rank ; he is going at the special request of General Godley, to act as intermediary between the Maoris and their commanding officer.