DOMINION'S PART.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1915, Page 5

DOMINION'S PART.

A SHORTAGE STILL. WAKE UP, SOUTH ISLAND: By Telegraph.—Press Associatioi'.. Wellington, Dec. 0. Recruiting for the Eleventh. Reinforo*. men fa shows a shortage of 587 for tha infantry. The delleieney is chiefly in the South island, wher» only 213 have been. secured to go to emnp in December, against 707 required. The North Island; i .shortage is only !)!}. ________ . ~ WAR PENSIONS. AN UNREASONABLE DEMAND. Wellington, Dec. 6 A deputation of over 50 representative citizens, including several members .of Parliament, interviewed Mr, Massey, on the subject of the War Pensions. • Act. In replying, Mr. Massey said thcra' ■ appeared to be a general misconception! as to the provisions of the Act, which, compared favorably with the best in tha world. To call Parliament together to consider the Act would cost about £IO,OOO, and he \irged that there was no necessity for buc_ expenditure. Reasonable amendments could be proposed; and considered next session, but tll% present agitation aagiust the Act wat, doing a lot of harm. DOING IT QUIETLY. , PRIME .MINISTER ON RECRUITER Wellington, Last Night. ' In the course of a deputation to th«(, Prime Minister regarding war pensions* Mr. S. A. Atkinson said he understood! that the Defence Department has author* ' ised that 1000 more men be called aft, once, and that married men would .be called upon. Before that was done, howV . ever, they wanted to know where they! were. The pay for them was quitoi inadequate. | The Defence Minister, who was present, said that be did not admit that the tlm« bad come for married men to be called; upon. . : The Prime Minister said also that tha time had not yet come when they look to married men. He hoped soon to' show that, but if any amendment of tin Pension Act was necessary it would b» effected when Parliament met. In a few days they would know where they stood, in regard to recruiting, because the census would be completed. "But don't imagine we are not doing much recruiting," Mr. Massey said, "because we are not making much noise. Wn are doing at lot, and when the time comes to tell it, I think the country will ba surprised." IMPERIAL MEAT SUPPLY. " HUGE (FIGURES. Wellington, Last Night ■ The Imperial Government Supply / Branch to-day reached six million pounds / sterling in p.ivment for meat. The precise amount is .t1i.0M,«74. This is for 2I!8,1G0 quarter* of beef, 2.109,470' catca*c* of mutton, and 2.402.0(10 carcases of lamb. Of that quantity of meat the following has arrived at it* destination,: 'Jfl.SfiS quarters of beef; 1,5(18,281 carcases of mutton; and 2..137,375 carcases ' oT lamb. PLATFORM OF UNITY. ■aKKP PEi'ililNCi AWAY." Masterton. Last Night.. Mr. H. O. Robinson, who organised the. unity platform in MaHerton, to-day received the following telegram from ' Captain Donald Simpson, from Gorr: "Your suggestion the only solution; keep pegging away." Mr. Robinson has replied, on behalf of the platform, "Wo know tluit New Zealand has the heart, and we will do our best to help start) , it." % ' THE NATIONAL RECiLSTER. Wellington, Last Night. The first completed returns from th* National Register may be in the hands . of the. Minister for Internal Affairs tomorrow. They will show approximately the number of men without dependents who have expros-cil their willingnpss to volunteer for active service. The completion of the whole register may l)Q accomplished this week. MANAWATU A, ANT) P.'S FINE EFFORT. Wellington, Last Night. As a result of the Mnnaualu A. and > P. Association's line effort in holding a. patriotic show, the sum of £3Oll was raised, and the money will go to this Sick and Wounded Soldier's. Fund. SALVATION ARMY HOMEi Wellington. Last Night. The Salvation Army has decided tft inaugurate a Soldiers' Club and Institute at Rotorua, for the benefit of wounded sojdiors who are convalescing there. Arrangements are now in hand.