NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 January 1916, Page 8

NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL.

-' EXPORT OF WOOL. YFrom Our Own Correspondent, f Wellington. Jan. 10. (When announcing the prohibition of the export of wool to neutral countries the other day the Prime Minister said lie did not think the growers were going to suffer from the change, since there was a very strong' demand for wool at high prices within the' Empire. Mr. Massey mentioned the subject, agafn today in connection with the telegraphed reports of the Clnislehurch wool sales. The fact tha"t the American buyers had not been bidding', lie said, had not prevented the hardening of prices. Apparently the Imperial authorities had no objection to the merino wool continuing to go abroad. The crossbred and halfbred wool, on the other hand, was required in enormous quantities for the fulfilment of military contracts, not only for the British troops, but also for the armies of the Allies. Under these conditions he did not think that growers need have any fear at all that they were going to suffer materially through the new* regulation. Tie was sure in any ease that they recognised in the present crisis that the needs of the Empire must have first consideration.

THE GALLTPOLI EVACUATION'. The news of the successful evacuation of Capt Helles by the British troops reached Defence headquarters here early to-day, and it was received with something very like incredulity. The removal of the forces froir Anzac and Suvla Bay, right under the guns of the Turks, practically without losses and without the abandonment of important material, was hailed by military men as an astounding achievement. The feat appeared to have been made possble only by wonderful organisation, great speed, and, above all, absolute secrecy. That the same thing could be done at Capo Helles, after the Turks had' received their warning, seemed unbelievable. One military man of high standing, not in the habit of using exaggerated language, told your correspondent that he did not believe any amount of good generalship could have extricated the troops from Cape Helles without heavy losses if the enomv had been alert and "game." A Turkish attack in force during the progress of the retirement, when half the British troops were in the transports and the others were leaving the trenches, would have been a terrible business. He felt forced to assume that the Turks had been so well beaten in previous attacks that they did not dare *1 leave their trenches, ft was scarcely .. oneeiva'ble that the second evacuation iould. have been conducted secretly if the Turks were taking any military precautions at all.

THE RECRUITING SCHEME. The Recruiting Board had a prolonged meeting to-day and completed the consideration of the draft recruiting scheme. Some important alterations were made, and the Prime Minister informed your correspondent later that he dicl not think the scheme would be teady for publicatoin until the following evening at earliest. The derailed amendments that had been made would necessitate some further revision. Mr. Masser mentioned that the Board had decided to appoint a secretary who would give his whole time to the'work connected with the recruiting scheme. The selection of a suitable man Tiad not yet been made, but probably the appointment would be mad,-> 'within the next few days, since there was no time to be lost. The recruiting scheme, in its manuscript form, has a most formidable appearance. The pages of typewritten matter and the attached maps and charts make a volume, and it is clear that an enormous amount of work will be involved in getting all the recruiting committees at work." But there is ev£ dence that the memliers of the Board will have plenty of willing helpers iii all parts of the country.