New Zealand.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7, 7 September 1915, Page 3

New Zealand.

MAOR! REJNFORGEMENTS. TO DEPART FROM WELLINGTON. J?Eli • L'iIKSS ASSOCIATION. Wellington, September (J. The Maori reinforcements now under training at Auckland will leave for the front this mouth, ami it has been arranaged that they shall embark from Wellington. The Minister for Defence. mentioning this matter to-day, said lie would have been very glad to have allowed the .Maoris to join the transport at Auckland, but they had expressed a wish to he brought to Wellington, and their request had been supported by the representatives of the .Native race in Parliament. The men would come to Wellington by train. . Arrangements are being made for a send-off to the Maoris on the. day of their departure from Wellington. There will be two functions, the first a, gathering at which Ministers and prominent citizens will lie present, and the second a purely Native ceremony. The chiefs wish to have a last word with the lighting men of tlmir race before tbeii* departure for (iallipoli, and the Mayor has consented to let them have the use of the Town Hall for the occasion. "Wo are going to continue sending Maori' reinforcements," said the Defence Minister. "The next draft will go into camj) when the men at present under training have left. It will include drafts of Natives from Raratonga and Nine, between 150 and '250 strong. These men are very anxious to be given a chance to serve with the other soldiers of the Empire, and they have received some elementary training already. The Maoris will make up the * balance, bringing the total strength of the force to about 350 men. That will he the third Maori reinforcement. As for the fourth reinforcement, I shall he very glad to hear that the Waikatos will undertake to find tho meu wanted for that draft. SOLDIERS FROM CALLIPOLI. TRANSPORT EXPECTED ON SATURDAY. Peb Punas Association. Wellington, September G. A steamer, the name of which, according to a. memorandum from the Chief of General Stall', must not he mentioned, is expected to reach Wellington on Saturday morning next., with a large number of wounded sol- | diers from the Gallipoli front. The ( steamer will arrive very early, and anchor in the harbor. The military and medical staff -will proceed aboard 7.30 a.m., examine the pay record, and prepare for the despatch of the sick and wounded to their destinations. The is to be brought alongside the wharf, probably at 11 p.nu Next-of-kin, by special pass, will be admitted to the wharf to await the mooring of the , but are not to be admitted on board. A reception will, be given in the Town Hall, with a tour along the main streets. The soldiers for the Wellington Hospital, ami tbose for tbe convalescent homes who are not aide to take part in the reception, will be conveyoad to these institutions, while tbe remainder are'taking part in the reception. The Auckland and intermediate men are being despatched by hospital train, probably about 7.30 p.m. Tbe remainder, for southern ports, will be re-embarked after tbe reception, and, if possible, the

will proceed south the same night, winch seems* doubtful. Soldiers for the West Const and other places will be accommodated in the. Wellington homes until a transport is available. ' , . COAL TROUBLE THREATENED. MINERS WANT INCREASE IN WAGES'. * United Phess Association. Oluistchurch, September 7. It is reported that there is serious trouble amongst the West Coast miners, and strong measures are being urged to remedy the grievances. A .Miners' Conference is to be held in Chi-istchurch on Friday, when representatives from all.parts of the Dominion will be present. It is understood that the men demand a twenty per cent, increase in wages owing to the higher cost of living.