THE HON. JAS. ALLEN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 30, 4 February 1913, Page 2

THE HON. JAS. ALLEN.

NKW ZEALAND’S EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. , (Per Press Association.) Wellington, February 3. A cable message from London regarding the Hon. James Allen’s reference to an expeditionary force of 8000 men from New Zealand was referred to-day . to the Prime Minister, <who was asked whether the Miipstei of Defence, in making this statement had the sanction and concurrence of tin' Cabinetr.and the Government. The Prime Minister explained that what Mr Allen‘ had stated was merely a hope that in time of danger New Zealand would furnish a contingent or contingents, as was done on the occasion of the South African War when about this number of volunteer troops was despatched from New Zealand to the assistance of the Mother Country. The Defence Act did not contemplate the sending of expeditionary forces from the Dominion to places outside, and 1 such a measure would obviously have to bo sanctioned by Parliament. His reading of the cable was that Mr Allen had simply said ho hoped that the Dominion would, on a future occasion, if need be, furnish to the Mother Country aid similar to that provided in the Boer M ar.