New Zealand.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 129, 24 October 1914, Page 8

New Zealand.

MAORILAND'S PROUD POSITION. THE FIRST TO OFFER AID. By Telegraph.—Per Preag Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Premier laid on the table of the Houao to-night correspondeneo dealing with offers made to the Imperial authorities by the overseas Dominions in the present crisis. The correspondence, he said, was very interesting, slowing as it did that New Zealand was the first of all the Dominions to offer assistance. DEATH OF !A TROOPEPv. Wellington, October 23. Trooper Clement McDcrmott, train YYaiuku, Auckland, a member of the Expeditionary Force, died in the Wellington Hospital yesterday from measles and pneumonia. Ho was aged 20. The body was sent north to-day.

THE MAORI CONTINGENT. Auckland, Last Night. The Maori contingent in camp at Avondale is almost up to it 3 full strength, and only a few more men have yet to come in. Until to-day no uniform had been issued to the men, but this morning all hands were served out with khaki working suits of dungarees, similar to those issued to the Field Engineering Companies. 'Each man was also given a slouch hat. Even in this not very showy uniform the contingent presents a good appearance on parade. The camp was inspected "this afternoon by Colonel A. W. Robin, Commanding the Defence Forces. Don. James Allen, Minister for Defence, will visit it tomorrow.

A DANGEROUS GERMAN. Wellington, Last Night. In the House of Representatives tonight, in reply to Mr Hine, the Premier stated that the Goveiliinnt was of opinion that Secwald, the German prisoner undergoing sentence for having a wireless plant in his possession, was too dangerous a man to be at large, and after his sentence had expired he would he handed over to the military authorities. While on the subject of wireless plants, ho desired to say that he had been informed: by experts that these small plants, while not able to send, were capable of receiving messages. This, pf course, was a dangerous practice, as a message might be picked up and sent to the enemy by letter. A great many rumours were current about wireless plants, but this was the only one the Government had secured. If thig person had 'been caught communicating! with the enemy—well, he would not have had the opportunity of doing it again, lie would be tried by court-martial, and everybody knew what the decision of the court would be. (Hear, hear.) BELGIAN FUND. Timaru, Last Night. Tho local Home and Belgian Relief Fund stands at about £5600. Tuesday's Choral and Orchestral Society's concert netted £ 167 for the Belgian Fund.