NEW ZEALAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 21, 11 September 1914, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND AND THE WAR

[Per Pbess Association.]

The Premier stated last night that he hoped- to make a statement in a few days as to the employment of Maori troops in the war. "I can emphatically say that the order and. discipline in this camp have been: excellent," >said': a< '..staff officer when referring o.the Auckland mobilisation icamp. "We"hare had over 2000 men under canvas for isomo weeks, and.we have had nothing except a few isolated cases of drunkenness and disorderliness arising from drink, and. the men have settled down to life under military conditions very well indeed. Circumstances- arise sometimes in which we have to exorcise considerable firmness, but so long ns we combine tact and justice with firmness the average Britisher will not make trouble."

Private cable intelligence received in Wellington 6tates that the London Shipping Gazette had issued a warning to British shipowners not to "fix" their ships to Gorman firms in New York and elsewhere. On the other hand, it appears from other advices that instructions are being given by German owners to keep their positions open with British steamers. A request has been made to local shippers, and to consignees particularly, against supporting Gorman lines, operating in the meantime in English steamers. The suggestion is made that steamers loaded by these firms will- not be covered under the Government war insurance scheme.

So generous has been the response of farmers throughout the Wellington district to the request for forage, chaff, hay, and other supplies for the horses of the expeditionary force, that 900 tons wore sent in. After fully equipping the four troopships, a surplus of 250 tons remains, and this will be sold by auction and the proceeds devoted to the war found.