New Zealand

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 153, 24 November 1914, Page 5

New Zealand

REGULAR REINFORCEMENTS,

ANOTHER 3000 MEN REQUIRED SOON. !

By Telegraph.—Per Press Association Wellington, Yesterday. Ail interesting statement on the subject of New Zealand's expeditionaryforces was made by Mr Allen, Minister of Defence, in conversation with a Post reporter this afternoon. There would he said, be no second expeditionary force sent away from New Zealand, but every arrangement was being made for the sending away of reinforcements to the original contingent. An addition of 20 per cent, would go to the original force, and would be sent away early in December, and every month five per cent, additional would be sent away, monthly if necessary. The force would be kept up to more than five per cent, monthly because we want to keep the force thaifc has gone up to its full strength, and not only that, but to make it stronger at the end than at the start. As soon as the 2000 men now in camp at Trentliani are away we shall put into camp something like 3000 men. The officers and N.C.O.'s will be brought into camp before the general body enters, so that they may obtain some preliminary training. Reinforcements will be sent out every two months. "We are strengthening and building up all the time," aaid the Minister, "and instead of growing weaker and weaker we think the people of New Zealand can Test assured that our reinforcements will be despatched at the earliest possible moment, and that- when the real issue comes we shall be on top." Auckland, Yesterday. Two men were arrested yesterday and made prisoners of war at the instance of ' the defence authorities. Heinrich Duerkop, a native of Prussian Poland, a member of the firm of Duerkop and M'Kay, commercial agents, was taken into custody at Brown's Bay, beyond Takapuna, where three detectives regarded his movements as suspicious. Albert Herman, a German tourist, was arrested at the Grand Hotel under instructions from "the _ Defence Department, there being reason to suspect he had not kept the conditions of his parole ill refraining from communicating with outside friends. Botli prisoners are highly educated men.

OUR BOYS AT SAMOA. •LIST OF TIIE SICK. Wellington, Last Night. / His Excellency tho Governor has received the following telegram, dated November 22, from the Administrator at Samoa:— "Tlie health of the troops is satisfactory. The following cases are under treatment:—Artillery: Corporal Kirker, Gunner Anderson, dysentery; Gunner Forbes, dengue; Gunner Milne, hernia. Field Engineers: Sappers Lang and Baldwin, dengue. Railway Engineers: Sergeant Matheson, carbuncle; Sapper Hardcastle, dysentery; Sapper English, dengue; Sapper Winter, injury to knee. Auckland Regiment: Privates Comber and Hay, dysentery; Private Mclntyrc, dengue; Private Owen, rheumatism. Wellington Regiment: Captain Wilkinson, ear trouble; Lance-Corporal Baddington, nicer; Corporal Tomline and Private Smith, dengue; Privates Lawrence, Synovitic, and Liardet, ear trouble; Private Watson, dysentery; Private Williams, abscess. Army Service Corps: Juggins, abscess. 'Medical Corps: Corporal Carr, dengue."

CHARGES OF DESERTION. Concluding a Ion? letter to the Auckland Star, a trooper in one of the transports from our shores writes. l 'TUe severity of a regimental court-martial will be tsperienced by seventeen of the Xew Zrtiland force, who are charged with absenting themselves) in port without leave, and failing to hoard their respective vessels when they left port. Of this number some of the defaulters were arrested at , the otlibrs being taken at - ——. Prior to arrival at —, orders were issued that there would be absolutely no leave for officers,, noncommissioned officers or men. This strictness seemed a. little' too scvefre lor .some men. One during" young fellow stripped, and, sliding down a rope, dropped quietly into the water under cover of evening shadows and swam ashore. He secured a boat, pulled out to the ship again, and waited' for his mates, v and upwards of a dozen got ashore. Three more trips were made before the leakage was stopped. Those who got off had a good time, and paid the penalty afterwards without a 'murmur. The predicament of some infantrymen who. missed their boat altogether on ttie following day was more serious, but fortunately they were able to reach their ships lateir. An inquiry was immediately instituted wihen the ileet touched port as to the reason the men had been left behind', on the order of Getoeral Goclley. A charge of desertion was laid against them, and they will appear to answer to the offence 'before court-martial. Before the troops left the -wharf priolr. to the route march ashore a : letter.: was read from the General, in : sUhi<jh Sh'g Warned the men of the si^lausnegj-of