New Zealand

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 75, 31 March 1915, Page 5

New Zealand

DEFENCE MINISTER REPLIES TO CRITICISMS. NEW ZEALAND DOING HER SHARE. Peb Press Association. Wellington, March 30. In reply to criticisms that New Zealand is not doing enough, the Hon. James Allen, Minister of scouts the idea, and says the Government is constantly suggesting something more, and every now and then suggestions are accepted. “My agreement at Home,” he said, “was for a definite expeditionary force. In addition to that agreement, we have sent one extra unit, which we do not want to disclose. We have sent two qxtra batteries in addition to the howitzer battery and an eighteen -pounder. We have sent two mobile veterinary sections, one field engineering corps, and one army service corps company, and 1 in addition to that we are filling up another army service company and a field engineering company, which has been formed in Egypt. We are sending the men to replace these men. We.have sent two guns for training purposes. Our agreement was to send 5 per cent, of reinforcements per month, ad we are sending 15 per cent, instead of five. We are sending in the course of a few days fifty nurses—this is entirely our own suggestion—and twelve nurses to Australia. This is also our own suggestion, to supplement the Australian nurses who have gone to the front. We shall also send a stationary hospital, which is also our own suggestion; Is not that an answer to the criticism?” he asked. As to the stationary hospital, Mr Allen explains that “from communications addressed to me, it seemed possible that the Army Council would accept an offer for hospital accomihodation from New Zealand, if offered. Accordingly, I telegraphed to the Army Council on March 5, as follows: —‘Please inform me, have you sufficient general hospital accommodation in Egypt, including doctors' nurses, orderlies and equipment?’ I again telegraphed them on March 10, K fts follows.—‘Should be glad to receive an early reply to my telegram of March 5, in respect to hovspital accommodation in Egypt. New Zealand will be glad to assist in the provision of hospital accommodation in Egypt or else, where to the best of its ability if you will let us kow what you consider we should supply. Would the offer of a stationary hospital or clearing hospital meet the dise? Please state probable cost of equipment and maintenance.’

“To this, on March 28, the Army Council sent the following reply:— ‘With reference to yours of March 10, the personnel of a stationary hospital would he accepted gratefully.’ On March 29 I cabled as follows;—‘Firstly, personnel of stationary hospital will he provided; date and sailing arrangements will he communicated as soon as possible. Please say if hospital is intended for Egypt or else-

where. Secondly, fifty nurses are sailing for England by the Rotorua, April B.’

“This personnel means eight officers, including one lieutenant-colonel, two majors, four captains and subalterns, one quarter-master and one warrant officer (war officer).”* So far from New Zealand’s contnhution remaining the same as stated by critics, the Minister says:—“This is quite inaccurate. New Zealand’s contribution does not remain the same. It |as been gradually increased, and more than doubled. From time to time Now Zealand lias made additions to its original troops. I take it to be my business as Minister of Defence, not only to do everytbig possible for the Imperial Government at this time but to see that the defence of our country is not weakened, so as to place us iu an improper position in case of attack. I am perfectly well aware that there is little possibility of a attack just now, but at the same time a hreak-away in the North Sea is possible, if not probable. I have quoted these' words because they come to me from my responsible adviser, and that'adviser also warns me that we certainly should not send the remaining guns which are in New Zealand. I am not tied by this advice, but there is agrave responsibility.”

NURSES FOR THE FRONT. Christchurch, March 30. Sister Fitzgibbon and Sister Rose, of the local hospital, have been selected to go to the front,as part of the contingent of twelve New Zealand nurses asked for by the Commowealth Government. Both sisters received' , their training at the Christchurch hospital, where at present they occupy the positions of theatre-sister and * sister-in-charge of the men’s surgical ward, respectively. No definite reply has yet been received from the Commonwealth as to when tlu nurses must leave the Dominion, but both are ready to leave to-morrow night if found necessary.

OPERATION OF THE (EMBARGO.

Dunedin, March 30. ’ In view of the existing uncertainty amongst local grain merchants as to whether the embargo placed by the Government on the export of oats also applies to forward contracts with Australia entered into before the embargo was decided on, Mr P. Barr, secretary of Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, yesterday, sent the following telegram to the Prime Minister; “Australian buyers of oats are demanding execution of existing contracts. Does the proclamation prohibiting export absolutely preclude this? Buyers.claim it does not.”

Later in the day the following reply was received from Mr Massey; ‘‘Prohibition applies to contracts. Information is being collected with a view to ascertaining the total quantity for which contracts were made. When this is available the matter will be further considered and the decision conveyed to you.”

BOOTS FOR SOLDIERS.

Christchurch, March 30.

Messrs M. O’Brien and Co-, Ltd., received advice to-day that their tender for the supply of military boots, to the order of the ,Xeiy Zealand Government, had agaiii been accepted. The contract is' for 1250 pairs amonth. *

PLENTY OF RECRUITS.

Auckland, March 30

There has been a steady stream of recruits offering themselves at the Auckland Defence Office for some time past, with the result that the supply of men available is greatly in excess of the 134. which Auckland’s quota of the sixth reinforcement draft now being arranged.

GIFT STOCK SALE.

Oamaru, March,3o.

A sale of gift stock conducted at the local yards bv the Oamaiu Auctioneers’ Association, in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund, has realised over fjilOO. A great number of stock promised did not arrive in time, and will be, sold for the same purpose after Easter. One sheep' fto-day realised £32 os, and fat wethers as high as 44>s. • ",

QUEEN OF THE FESTIVAL

Christchurch. March 30

The difficulty in connection with the Queen of the Festival Contest at the Harvest Festival for the relief of the Belgians has been overcome by the val will he devoted to Lancaster Park, relieving the executive of the Festival of its agreement with the This means that none of the funds collected In connection with the Festival will be devoted to Lacaster Park. The executive of the festival, in acknowledging the sportsmanlike action of the Board of Control expressed the hope that the public will enthusiastically support the board’s appeal when made.