LETTER FROM A NEW ZEALANDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1915, Page 2

LETTER FROM A NEW ZEALANDER.

STRONG TURKISH DEFENCES. -JSKNI) ITSl T S MOISK XIHIfsFS." Writing from lleliopolc-, a New Zealand soldier says:---"The way in which (lie enemy had prepared (tie position showed great skill and finesse in engineering, they having 11 iL: i heni'-elviin and prepared land mines and concealed batteries, wiiieii if was impossible for (he naval gnus (o locale: they had also prepared special places for (In l .snipers, who caused su/h great, havoc among (he olliccrs. Our men got badly handled while landing ill the lioats, hut their comrades made np for them -when they landed, and Xew Zealand can well he prond of her hoys. 'The Australians at one time got into a : light corner, and the X'ew Zenlanders had to [Hill thcia out, and now (hey cannot dii enough for each oilier. "There is one thing (lie people might, see to for us, and th.it is more nurses and better i!ed Cross arraiigeiiien'.s. There are no New Zealand nurses here, and the medical arrangements arc inadequate. our woun.h'd being looked after by the Australian nurses, who are being worked to death, and it is a cryi'.;t shame to see these unselliiih women looting hollow-eyed and dead heat in trying to cope with the lingo task. There are more than a few hundreds wounded, as fresh trains arrive every day, and I am Mire that tlie need only requires lo he t'Villbt'd by thv people to force (In; authorities to Send Hi nurses, who I know would only be toe willing to come. "i.!eside. the Australian equipment we look very silly, am! it is ever a hard ta-k at tiie present moment (o get clothes el send the men in, I received a batch of clothing to-day, and at least half could not be worn by (he men, 'us it was too small. Why is it that we get clothes piecemeal from all different countries'; Our fitting is not uniform tike Australia. Cannot Xew Zealand send us their own make'; Onr last lot of infantry aniicd lc. i'e with no cqnip■'e 11 i,, as they had to be rushed away 10 the front at a couple of days notice, and tin' lit tings had to be got from the Australians. .Many of us have had io buy our own trousers, and then they were counted against us as a suit. What, is our worthy Oovernmcnt doing'! Squabbling, I suppose, over the owncrrhip of the Philomel, and waiting i'.ir every opportunity to drag the doings of her men and her gift warship into the limelight. I feel very strongly over this matter, for Sew Zealand has reason to hi' proud of her men, lint her sons haic not so much (o thank her lor."