LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 39, 13 September 1916, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Hon. W. F. Massey (Chairman of the Recruiting Board) telegraphs from Wellington to-day as follows: It is an easy matter to have a sense of duty done and peace of mind under the Military Service Act. Tt is well to give a final reminder that all men of military age are automatically members of the Expeditionary Force. Reserve (either first or .second division) by the fact of the proclamation under the Act, but unregistered men have an obligation to apply for enrolment., Here, in brief, is the duty of the unregistered—(l) To fill in an enrolment card, (2) To apply (on the form provided) for a certificate of enrolment. Registered men should similarly apply for a certificate of enrolment, and they must notify change of address if their place of abode has changed since the registration. The application for a certificate is not mandatory, but neglect or delay in this matter may bring much trouble, because the police and employers will require the production of the certificate/ as proof of enrolment. A call at the nearest Post Office, where cards, forms, and advice are available free, will clear away all difficulty. It is not enough for a reservist to keep in touch with a recruiting committee. There is a personal obligation on every reservist to comply with the Act. All enrolment cards, applications for certificates, and notices of change of address must be addressed to" the Government Statistician, Wellington. To-day i s the time for action by any Reservist who has not yet done his duty. A man cannot hope to escape penalties by a plea of ignorance. In all cases under the Act the onus of proof will be on the defendant. The Defence Department, New Zealand, invite, tenders for the purchase of JO7 lots of part worn saddlery as set out in another column. Tenders closo at 12 noon on Saturday, the 30th September, and forms of tender may be obtained from Major T. M. M'Cristell Wellington, or at any other Defence Office. There are some very perturbed mothers in Sydney just now. In the flush of patriotism they have christened their babie s "Auzac." Now a warning has been issued that the name may only be used for military purposes and they want to know if they are likely to be prosecuted. Consequently the State Commandant of New South Wales is having a lively time, being interviewed by mothers of infant "Aiizacs."

A case in which a British subject was proceeded against on a charge oi having used indecent language in the bar of an hotel at Temora, New South Wales, was heard in the Police Court, before Mr N. A. Ormonde Butler, P.M., u few days ago. The witnesses for the prosecution were unnaturalized Germans of military age. The trouble was said to have arisen over one of the Germans having boasted of hi:; nationality. Before the first witness had completed his evidence the magistrate refused to allow the case to go on, and dismissed the information. He said: r 'l do not desire to bo lopsided, but I have decided to dismiss the ease. It is a public scandal that Lhe Federal Government allows unnaturaiised Germans of military age to work among and in competition with British subjects." To Lhe witness he said : "Von and your friend should bo interned. You should not be allowed to wander at large in the country, it is only to b 0 expected that followers of the British flag would rosent it, and exnve.ss dissatisfaction at thoj Government laxity. We are having cur sons and friends slaughtered, while r.ritu-li men and women in Germany have no, freedom whatever. I , may be called upon to account for my i ■>• ':-•• Vit 1 will take the resnonsi1' :u.v oi it." Mr Br.tler wa„ one of I the Australian contingent who went to the Soudau in 1'6'60.

The Railway Hotel at Otaki was buiiied to the ground yesterday (states the Press Association). The insurances total £3OOO. The Pembroke Road settlers are farewelling Corporal Cuthbert on Friday evening next and visitors are promised a good evening's enjoyment. All soldiers on final leavo will be admitted free. Stamp collectors will be interested to learn that the dark-colored ljd stamp issuod since the outbreak of war has now been replaced by another of similar typo. The first was printed from an engraved plate, but the new die, which was prepared in England, is for surface printing which is a cheaper method to use for stamps where there is a big demand. It is probable the orange-colored 2d stamp will also be shortly issued surface printed. An uncanny incident was reported at Brisbane last Sunday week on the arrival of the Howard Smith liner Macedon. The officers and crow are anxiously waiting news concerning the contents of two suspicious ens which were found hidden away in a tank. On the arrival of the vessel in Sydney the cans were not opened but were handed over to the Customs officers. The chief engineer said.that the cans bore a striking resemblance to other cans which had been found on several vessels leaving New York, and which proved to be electric contrivances set to explode when the ship commenced to rock. One was found on a White Star liner which left New York some time ago. They simply described them as "bombs." A large number of wharflaborers in New York are Germans, and shipping people are becoming suspicious.