AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1916, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

PATRIOTIC RAILWAYMEN. Sydney, March 31. Railway employees have responded so freely to the call of the Empire that the Commissioners have found it necessary to bar enlistments from certain branches of the service. The mechanical department is s o depleted that the military authorities have agreed not to accept any more mechanics from the railways and to discharge those who have already enlisted in order to enable them to return. Of railway employees, altogether 4150 have enlisted, and there are also 151 engaged in home defence. CONCESSION TO TURKS. Melbourne, April 1. The Commonwealth has decided ta exempt all persons of Turkish origin from the peremptory regulations as to shareholders, It is stated that 90 per cent, of the Turkish subjects in Australia are Christians and pro-Entente. CASUALTY LIST. . Sydney, April 1. List 159 contains the names of the following New Zealanders:—Wounded and missing, previously reported wounded, Sergeant F. C. Hewitt; ill, G. Hastings (in hospital at Cairo). CLERGY AND THE WAR. Melbourne, April 1. A letter signed by Archbishop Clarke and the bishops, to the clergy, says that the clergy should not enlist in the ranks of the army because they are urgently needed in their parishes to perform the duties to which they are already pledged. The duty of bringing the inspiration and consolation of religion to bear on the life of the people is of supreme importance at the present time. Regarding divinity students, without saying that no permission to enlist will be given, the right to refuse is reserved where they are needed for the usual lervice of the church* V