New Zealand

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 84, 4 September 1914, Page 8

New Zealand

11.M.5. NEW ZEALAND. CABLE FROM CAPTAIN HALSEY. Wellington, Last Night. The following cablegram ban been received from Captain ilalucy: "London, September 2. • "till on board H.M.S. New Zealand ■congratulate the Dominion on their action at Samoa. Please inform the women of New Zealand that their en.sign Hew on board during the action oIF Heligoland." THE PREMIER'S PREDICTION. WAR WILL LAST A YEAR. ' Wellington, Last Night. Speaking in the House of ReTesentatives to-night, Hon. W. Massey, the Prime Minister, said he was of opinion that the war would last at least twelve %nontlia. The war would in all probability go over the next European summer. TONGANS HUNGRY AND ISOLATED ENTIRELY IGNORANT OF TOE .WAR. SHORT OF FOOD. Auckland, Last Night. There was no more astonished man in New Zealand waters last evening than Captain Rose, master and owner of the barquentine Ysabel, when searohlights played upon him outside Tiri, and his boat was hung up pending compliance with the 'Defence Department's regulations respecting inspection of shipping. It was his first intimation of the existence of a state of war.

At Tonga and Niue, whence the Ysabel comes, the residents knew nothing of the outbreak of hostilities, and it is exceedingly improbable that they yet know anything about it. That something is radically wrong, however, they will have realised by,this time, for the white and native population of. the Tongan Group will be very nearly ingWhen Captain Ross left Nukualofa, the Navua, with food supplies, was already long overdue, and as the steamer ill question is still at Auckland, the plight of the Tongans can well be imagined. The Navua goes out thisf morning, but her destination is Fiji only. Tonga has been tut out. The, position in regard to food supplies in the Tongau Group is a Somewhat extraordinary one. The residents haye almost entirely ceased to cultivate native food. Even yams are regarded as a luxury in these days. The reason is that "such high •prices have been paid for copra that the natives have devoted their attention almost entirely to -this industry, and have depended upon shipments of food from Auckland, In fact, Auckland noui' A biscuits, and canned meat, and American .kerosene, form the main items of the Tongan imports. When, the Ysabel left Nukualofa, the flour and biscuit supply had almost run out, and the European population in particular was becoming somewhat alarmed at tile non-arrival of fresh nupplics. Up to the time of the Ysabel's departure, there were many conjectures as to the cause for tile noyarrival of the Navua with stores, but noo ne even hazarded a'guess that a no one even hazarded a guess that a the trouble. Their continued isolation will bo a matter for profound concern. The Ysabel saw nothing of German cruisers on her way to Auckland.

A HINT TO THE GOVISRNMENT. TO, HURRY DIP. Oamaru, Wednesday., A resolution has been forwarded to the Premier by the executive of the Oamaru Patriotic Committee: "That in view of the continued tendency, to increase the cost of the necessities of life, the burden of which must fall on those least able to bear it, tho Government be requested to take immediate steps to prevent a further increase, pending the linding of the Commission appointed under the Reg-illation of Trades ami Commerce Act."

The New Plymouth Defence Rifle Club paraded list night, when over KIQ enthusiastic members were put through various exercises. The membership now stands at 225, and the immediate target is 231, or one better than the Wellington club, Arms and amiiunition are to be applied for at once. At a meeting held in Stratford last night it was decided to form a National Reserve Corps—mounted and foot—and forty members were enrolled. The following committee wag appointed in connection with the movement:—His Worship the Mayor, Captains J. W. McMillan and W. J. Reeve, Dr. Paget, Messrs Hugh flood, C. Baylv, P. 15. Dobson. The members of the Stratforrt Rifle Club will be responsible for instruction in ritle-shooting. Applieation will be made to the Defence Department for rifles and ammunition.