New Zealand

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 80, 10 March 1916, Page 5

New Zealand

PATRIOTIC FUNDS. ADVISORY BOARD FAVOURED. Per Prtssh *«Bocjatton. Auckland, March 8. Tlie Auckland Patriotic Association has affirmed the necessity of the establishment of an advisory board in connection with the proposed federation of patriotic societies, but reiterates its opposition to control of the funds passing out of its hands. THE GALL FOR MEN. TARANAKI'S SHORTAGE. The Defence authorities state that men are wanted urgently in Taranaki to fill up the district quota in the 14th Reinforcements. The deficiency is twenty men, eleven being for the infantry. By the first week of next month Taranaki will have to provide about 148 men for the loth Reinforcements, so it will be seen that brisk recruiting is necessary. The mobilisation of the 14th Rein-

forcements is still,.'in progress, and it is not yet knowm'how the draft is going to pan out, .except that an infantry shortage is looked upon as a certainty (says yesterday's Dominion). Infantry are wanted from all parts . Wellington City is appealing for more infantry with which to make good its shortage of half a hundred. EARLY CLOSING AND WET CANTEENS. THE PREMIER'S VIEWS. Wellington, March 9. Replying to a Methodist Conference deputation which asked that New Zealand hotels be closed at six Vclock, that "shouting" be prohibit'ed. and that no wet canteens be established in camps, Mr Massey said: "I don't think the proposal to establish a wet canteen will ever take legislative shape in this Parliament, even if it could be secured by regulation. I don't think there is a.

chance of it. As to the other two points—early closing and anti-shout-ing—these must come hefore Parliajment before anything can he done. It js quite likely that the House will meet earlier than usual this year, but even that depends on other circumstances which I cannot make pdblic but I shall be in a position before the House meets to tell whether these proposals will be submitted to Parliament this 1 session. I have heard another report from the Police Department upon this suggestion. The report is not as satisfactory as I should like. It says that while there are a number of hotel keepers anxious to prevent drunkenness among soldiers and civilians, there is a proportion who, if they do not encourage drunkenness, wink at it. lam very strongly opposed to anything of that sort. I think that an hotelkeeper who permits drunkenness in his house, or even the bar attendant, should be given a punishment he would remember for a long time. I.was very pleased to hear the deputation say they were not prepared to advocate preference against soldiers, for if we aw gong to stop shouting for soldiers, then ,vc must stop shouting for civilians, and if we are going to close hotels early for soldiers then we must close hotels early for civilians."

THE NEW RECRUITING SCHEME.

LAST WORD IN VOLUNTARYISM. Invercargill, March 9. Sir Joseph Ward addressed a large public meeting at the Municipal Theatre to-night in connection with the new recruiting scheme. During the course of his address Sir Joseph Ward laid stress upon the necessity of co-operation of all public bodies and all men and women of the Dominion to assist the Government in giving effect to the new scheme. It was the last word in voluntaryism. New Zealand had responded admirably so tar, but further efforts were essential, and without this co-operation it was not humanlv possible for the National Government to do the work, bo far, 36 236 men had been sent out of the Dominion, exclusive of 1811 tb Samoa, and of these 3329 men had returned, exclusive of 709 at. present returning. He appealed to every eligible man to enlist, and so prevent the finger oi scorn being pointed at him. after the war to the end of his days. Sir Joseph outlined the general plan for the crippling of enemy commerce after the war by prohibitive tariffs, and he advocated that no enemv vessel, after the cessation of the

war, should ever be allowed to enter a British or colonial port or coal at a British or colonial station. Sir Joseph was loudly cheered on the conclusion of his forcible address. GARRISON DUTY STILL NECESSARY. Auckland, March 9. Hon. Jame fe Allen, in discussion with the local Recruiting Commrttee. in respect to the suggested withdrawal of men from garrison duty with a view to serving at the front, said that only last week the Defence Department issued notices to officers of the depart'ment calling upon them to enlist. After their enlistment it would be decided whether they would go forward or remain in service here. ! Regarding the garrisons, he said they had been taking the men gradu-. ally as far a s it was safe to do so, hut, .speaking with the full knowledge he possessed, he told them quite plainly that it was still imperative to keep active and vigorous men in garrison. The Minister imparted a further piece of information on this point which he requested should be regarded as strictly confidential.