BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 February 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

' MILITARY SERVICE BILL.' BECOMES OPERATIVE NEXT WEEK. Received Feb. 4, 9.45 p.m. London, Feb. 3. A proclamation fixes February 10 as the date for the Compulsion Act coming into operation. This means that the unmarried men who have enlisted on March 2 will consequently take their places with the Derby recruits who have | already been called up. | BRAVE MEN DECORATED. : B£ THE KING, j ENTERTAINED AT LUNCHEON. I London, Feb. 3. The King decorated the following New Zealanders:—Private Bassett, Victoria Cross; Captain Shera (Auckland), Lieuts. Turnbull (Wanganui) and Bishop (Clutha), Military Crosses. The New Zealanders' band from Hornchurch escorted the heroes from Buckingham Palace to the Windsor Hotel, Victoria Street, which was thronged, for a luncheon given by Sir .Thomas Mackenzie. Lady Hardwick and 200 New Zealand convalescents were present. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, in toasting the heroes, said it was amazing that the New Zealanders and Australians had not received greater honors for their glorious part in the strenuous and sanguinary fighting at Gallipoli. Those on the spot were surprised that only one Victoria Cross had been awarded to New Zealanders for gallantry. Private Bassett, in responding, said his only regret was that others of his comrades were not present. f" J. Mills and Captain Dawson declared that Sir Thomas Mackenzie had made London a haven of rest for New I Zealanders.

JAPANESE NAVY* NEW ZEALAND PRESENTATION. London, Feb. 3. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, accompanied by a number of New Zealand officers and men, presented the silver model of a JI«LOrf canoe, presented to the Japanese warship which convoyed the'main Expeditiopary Force. Count Inouye, Japanese Ambassador, saici he was gratified t>y the references to Japan's convoying overseas troops. He added that Japan fcad participated in the struggle not merely from a desire to .fulfil her alliance obligations, but to join bands with Britain and uphold the cause of liuimanity and civilisation. The souvenir marked the oordial friendship which he (hoped would always exist between the Japanese navy and the New Zealand forces.