New Zealand

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 59, 15 February 1916, Page 5

New Zealand

' HF MILITARY ACE ALMOST | READY, EXEMPTION BADGES. I'KK PkEBS daciOCIATrON. Wellington, February 11. Alphabetical lists of men of military ago for nearly all the recruiting districts of the South Island have now been issued, and the remaining ones Iwill be sent out within the next day lor two. Tlie secretary of the Recruiting Board will make a start with the despatch of the North Island rolls tomorrow, and he expects to haw the work finished by the end of the week. The badges about to be issued by the Recruiting Board will be ready this week. They will be issued in ordinary course to men who may register themselves to secure exemption or who return from the front in future, but men whoso right to badges has been acquired in the pasf will have to make application. Returned soldiers should apply to the Base Records Office. Brandon Street. Wellington. Registered men, that is. those who have been rejected on medical grounds, and men who have been granted exemption, should apply to the group office in their military district. The Recruiting Board draws attention to the following letter, addressed by direction of the Kisg to Lord Derby, at the close of hi s gr«at recruiting campaign in the United Kingdom: "My dear Derby, Now that your work in connecter with the King's appeal for recruiting is over, his Majesty hopes that every man who is entitled to wear an armlet will do so as a call. Yours very truly, (sgd.) Stamfordham." The armlets issued in the Mother Country to men who have offered to serve are similar to the New Zealand badges. THE FEATHERSTON CAMP. Wellington, February 14. Speaking today of the sickness amongst the soldiers at Featherston Camp, Surgeon-General Henderson said that during the last two days, with the advent of cooler weather, there has been a falling-off in the number of cases reported sick. As he had said before there is not the slightest cause for alarm, and what has happened since has confirmed that statement. The cases so far have all been slight, and the percentages small, while now the percentages are diminishing. General Henderson added that there was no over-crowding in Featherston Camp. A pipe-water supply is now being laid on to the canvas portion, and the fly pest is being rapidly coped with. NEW ZEALAND DIVISION. Wellington, February 14. The Defence Minister, states that Cabinet has approved of a scheme for the creation of a New Zealand division in connection with the re-organi-sation of the forces at the front. The New Zealanders in the past have belonged to a mixed New Zealand and Australian division, and General Godley proposes now to form a third brigade out of accumulated infantry reinforcements. This brigade, with two brigades of the original mam oociy, will form a purely New Zealand division. The matter of reinforcements is under consideration, but probably the present rate will be sufficient to cover the new brigade, a s well as the old ones, though some adjustment of the proportions may be necessary. 120 MEN SHORT FOR THE 13vh. Wellington. February 14. * The Defence authorities announced to-day that the 13th Reinforcements mobilised last week, are 120 men short in infantry. The shortage from the Canterbury district is the greatest. It is hoped that the deficiency will be made up within the next few days. WHARF LABORERS' WACES. Christchurch, February 14. A stop-work meeting by the Lyttelton wharf laborers unanimously decided to agree to the proposed rates of 'pay suggested by the recent conference, but turned down a proposal to work after 10 p.m. Dunedin, February 14. The Waterside Workers' Union resolved to reject the agreement on account of the clause suggesting work after 10 p.m.