New Zealand

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 18, 21 May 1915, Page 5

New Zealand

MR MASSEY’S MESSAGE. Pkk Press Association. Wellington, May 20. The following is the text ol Mr Massey’s message to the Guildhall patriotic meeting in London: — New Zealand is proud and pleased to do her share in the momentous crisis through which the Empire is passing. We are proud of our brave sous who took part in the great battle at Gallipoli, and, though many of them have left their hones in foreign soil, they died the best of all deaths—they gave their lives for the Empire and their country. Wo have more New Zealanders coming, many thousands more of the same stamp and the same stock eager to take the place of those who have fallen and to assist as soldiers of the King in securing a victory for Britain and her Allies. Though New Zealand is but a small country, all we are and all we have is at the Empire’s call. As we join in its dangers and struggles, so shall we share in its victory and triumph when in His own good time God brings this great conflict to an end, and when full punishment for the fiendish crimes and gross outrages perpetrated against [humanity in this war has been justly visited upon German militarism. It is scarcely necessary for me to say that not only in this light for our national honor, hut also for all time, New Zealand is unsparingly linked with the loved Homeland. (Signed) TV F. Massev, Prime Minister.

The High Commissioner to-day sent a cablegram stating that the message was received with great enthusiasm and cheers. THE MAORI CONTINGENT. Wellington, May 20.The Hon. James Allen has received from Major-General Godley a report dated March 29. Major-General Godley said the Maoris had been very comfortable in camp, where they were situated near the New Zealand expeditionary force. They appeared to be pleased with their quarters (this was before the contingent had left for Malta). They had tents on the lines of the Egyptian army tents, which were most suitable for the climate there of cold night and hot days. Major-General Godley was making every provision for suitable appointments in camp, and with the assistance of Y.M.C.A. representatives he was endeavouring to make their camp more attractive for them than the city. Major Herbert, of the East Coast Rifles, has been appointed to their command in place of Major Peacock, who had been invalided at Albany. Writing again on April 2, MajorGeneral Godley said the Minister would have heard that the Maoris had been ordered to Malta. After having seen them he was very disappointed they were not going with the expeditionary force, as he believed they would have done well. They were leaving for Malta that night. Since their arrival in Egypt they had behaved extraordinarily well, and had earned golden opinions by their appearance and smartness and general efficiency. Everyone thought well of them. They were sorry they were not going with the New Zealanders. He had got the High Commissioner and Generals Birdwood and Maxwell to go to the camp and see them, and they had been given a great reception, the Maoris dancing a haka for them. Since then Major-General Godley said he had received the following letter from Sir 4. G. Maxwell: “Will you let the, Maori contingent know that in accordance with what i told them yesterday I have both written and telegraphed to Lord Kitchener that it is their desire to serve and fight with the New Zealanders. I think they will be a valuable reinforcement; don’t you ?” The Defence Minister states he intends from time to time to communicate to the Maori members matters in connection with the Maori contingent.

THE TWENTY-SEVENTH LIST. Per Phess Association. Wellington, May 20, The Twenty-seventh casualty list is as follows: DIED OF WOUNDS. Auckland Battalion. Corporal Alfred Stanley Corlett, on May 1(> (previously reported wounded), Canterbury Battalion. Private Charles Crawford Noble, on May 12. KILLED IN ACTION. N.Z. Field Ambulance. Private William Heaver, on did May DANGEROUSLY ILL. Auckland Battalion. Private Francis Bernard Bright (pro. viosly reported wounded). Otago Battalion. Sergeant John Mnnro Clark (previously reported wounded). Private Gilbert William Crossan (previously reported wounded). Wellington Battalion. Private Herbert Harold Gaskin (previously reported wounded). WOUNDED. Auckland Battalion. Sergeant John Donald Boys. Private Charles John Milne.

Canterbury Battalion. Private John Humphrey Addison. Wellington Battalion. Private Ernest Kile. dangerously '(ll. Auckland Battalion. Private F. B. Enwright (wounded). TO-DAY’S LIST, KILLED IN ACTION. Engineers. Lieutenant S. W. Paine Otago Battalion. Major R. Price Captain A. V. Spedding PREVIOUSLY REPORTED WOUNDED, NOW MISSING. Otago Battalion. Lieutenant R. E. Egglestone Lieutenant 1). J. A. Lyttle DIED OF WOUNDS. Auckland Battalion. Corporal L. Kibblewhite Canterbury Battalion. Private H. Peacock Otago Battalion. Private F. Smith. WOUNDED. Artillery. Lieutenant R. Richards. THE HOSPITAL SHIP.

STRATFORD SUBSCRIPTIONS. Amount previously acknowledged, £25; J. W. Boon, £10; T. C. Fookes, £5 ; G. N. Curtis, £5; S. Pitt, £5; H. M. Good, £2 2s; Robinson and Son, £5; Hy. W. Kerr, £5; Mrs M. Kerr, £5; total, £67 2s. STRATFORD METHODS CRITICISED. [io Thf Editob Stratfoed Post.] Sir,—Funds are urgently required for the equipment of a Hospital Ship for our boys at the front, and no doubt a liberal response will be made by the residents of Stratford and district. In other towns special efforts are being made in this direction by means of public meetings and patriotic demonstrations. One wonders why Stratford does not follow suit. To-morrow would have been a splendid opportunity for a patriotic demonstration in Broadway. The town will be full of country people, and no doubt if it had been decided to take up a collection a large sum of money would have been obtained. However, I understand it has been proposed to arouse the enthusiasm of the people per medium of an advertisement. The idea of a demonstration and street collection to-mor-row was suggested by one of the Belgian Relief Committee, and as a meeting of that committee had been called for last night, the subject was to be discussed, and the Mayor had been invited to attend, it being thought that on an occasion of this kind, the Chief Magistrate of the town should be in the lead. I understand it was the Mayor’s intention to take a lead in this matter, but as the Patriotic Committee had already published its intention of accepting subscriptions, it was decided to leave matters to that committee, and do everything possible to help on this” very worthy object. We read daily of tire special efforts other towns are making in the direction of raising funds for various patriotic purposes, but we in Stratford, are apparently willing to sit down and wait. Surely a little more spirit could be shown in the matters we undertake. It strikes me that the people of our town are too phlegmatic, there .is no doubt of their generosity, but the capacity for enthusiasm seems lacking. Only a few days ago the towns all round us were Holding patriotic meetings for the purpose oi furthering recruiting. What did Stratford do ? Nothing. 'Hie papers oi other neighbouring towns are publishing daily lists of young fellows who have offered their services for the front. How many Stratford names do we see. Very few. Yet numbers of our young residents have offered their services and no notice lias been taken of the fact. What is Stratford doing in connection with raising funds for tlie Hospital Ship;' Inserting an advertisement in the paper. Surely sir, Stratford is capable of more enthusiasm than lias been apparent lately, it is time a little more file was galvanised into the community, in fact it is about time we ‘‘woke up.” ! am. etc., PHILIP SKOGLFND, Stratford, 21-5-15. (Enclosed please find my “little bit” for the Hospital Ship (£1). — I’.S.) (It is only fair to the district to point out a matter which our correspondent does not mention. It is that Stratford has already scut more men to the front on a population basis than any of the other Taranaki districts. Further, .so far as publishing daily lists of recruits is concerned, we have been unable to obtain such lists from the local Defence Oifice, as, up

to this time, the men from this distriet are really enrolled either at New Plymouth or Hawera. This is not tin fault of the officer in charge of the Stratford Defence Office, but apparent lv a “regulation.” However, this ia hy-the-way. and it is not really a ques tion of what Stratford or New Plymouth, or any other place is doing, hut what the British Empire is doing. Wo are entirely in sympathy with Mr Skoglnnd’s motive in writing, which is doubtless to stir our district up to do its best and to do it in the best possible way. —Ed. “Stratlord Post.”) JOTTINGS. % The Rev. A. Grant, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, at the request of the Life and Work Committee, lias appointed Sunday, June 6, as a special day of intercession in connection with the war. Advice has been received by the Defence authorities of the death of Lance-Corporal James Lovell, of the Samoan relief force, from pleurisy and cardiac complications. Corporal Lovell was born in England on June ‘27th, 1874, and served for seven years in the Ist and 2nd Border Regiment. He was a sailor, and prior to joining the relief force was employed by the Union Steamship Company. His next-of-kin is his brother, William Lovell, who resides at Calcutta, India. The following nurses have been selected for service in Malta and Egypt, and leave to-morrow via Sydney:— Misses Cameron (Victoria), C. Clarke (Wellington), L. McLeod (Masterton), Mu rray (Hokitika), P. Reynolds (Auckland), Nicoll (Christchurch), Blackie (Dunedin), Coster (Dundein), M. O’Connor (Blenheim), M. Wright (Invercargill), Honker (Napier), Gould (Christchurch), Wilkin (Dunedin), Eddy (Thames'), Christmas (Chris 4 - church). Lewis (Waikato), Owen (Dunedin), E. Young (New Plymouth\ Brigham (Now Plymouth). Nmvdick (Waihi), Cfaerrie (Auckland), Grigor (Christchurch), Stoke, (Christchurch!, McLean (Dunedin), Gorman >Waimate), Sinclair (New Plymouth), Valentine (Dunedin), and Gill (Gisborne). BELGIAN RELIEF FUNDS. The Belgian Relief Fund Committee met last night to discuss the question of raising further funds by moans ot a Carnival, but owing to the special call for a considerable sum for the New Zealand Hospital Ship no action will be taken in that direction until the funds for the ship are raised. Of course, this does not mean that efforts on behalf of the brave Belgians are in any way- relaxed, and Mr Philip Skoglund will still be glad to receive subscriptions—large or small—for this fund.