New Zealand

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 67, 24 February 1916, Page 5

New Zealand

THE RECRUITING SCHEME. LOCAL BODIES’ GOOD RESPONSE. Per Press association. Welington, February 23. So far a very satisfactory response has been made by local bodies to the request of the Recruiting Board for their help in.rendering as effective as possible the new scheme. To-day the Prime. Minister said that up to the present 68 replies had been received from local bodies, stating very cordially that they would do everything possible to co-operate with the board. These replies in some cases are from local bodies that are the centre of groups of local bodies. For instance, the Mayor of a city like Wellington, or of Te Kniti. might bo speaking for surrounding smaller bodies, which are working with them, so that these 68 rcubes represent at least 90, and pe.-.sihly more, local bodies. Five have refused assistance, ten are willing to help, but think that compulsion should be instituted by legislation. The lateter, of course, are in addition to the 6S repies.

“I think this very satisfactory,” commented the Prime Minister to-day. “The 68 replies include some from very large bodies.”

ORDERS*! NOIL. ... STRINGENT REGULATIONS. Wellington, February 23. \ Gazette Extraordinary issued tonight contains an Order-in-Coimcil providing that no British steamship may proceed on any voyage without a license, excepting those engaged in the coasting trade. A further Order in-Council prescribes additional regulations under the War Regulations Act. The definition of “alien enemy” is extended to include subjects of Bulgaria. No person may, without the military authorities’ consent, publish statements as to cargo on any ship leaving New Zealand for the United Kingdom } or any place north of the equator. The importation of explosives containing more than fifty per cent, of nitro-glycerine is prohibited unless the consent of the Minister of Customs has been obtained. WAR PENSIONS. \ Wellington, February 23 The business of the War Pensions Board is still increasing in volume. During the last two weeks 126 applications for pensions have been received from soldiers, and 61 from dependents. The figures show a big increase in the number of soldiers’ applications, due partly to the discharge of many men from hospitals and convalescent camps, and partly to the rule now enforced hv the Defence Department that the question of making applications for a pension shall be brought under the notice of each man when he is recommended for discharge by the Medical Board.

Last week the Board dealt with 100 applications, (5/ Irom soldiers and <l3 from dependents. The decisions of the Board may be summarised as follows: Soldiers—l2 pensions, 36 allowances, 10 declined, 9 adjourned for fur then reports. Dependents—29 pensions, one allowance, 2 declined, one adjourned. An allowance was made in the case of a wife whose husband is also receiving an allowance. The gross totals of cases dealt with up to February 19 wore as iollows; Soldiers—lll pensions. 164 allowances, 44 declined, 19 adjourned, 4.1 m hand; total, 378. Dependents—l9l pensions, 4 allowances* 40 declined, 8 adjourned. 23 in hand; total, 566.

The annual value of pensions; granted up to the present time is £26,925. The 191 dependents who have received pensions include 112 wives.