AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1916, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

NUMBER OF TROOPS. Melbourne, May 10. M. Pearce has submitted a statement showing that up to May 6, 189,000 troopa hud embarked, and .02,000 were in training. The Government rejected the War Committee's recommendation regarding fixing a definite date for reviewing voluntary enlistment for confidential reasons. In the Senate, Mr. Pearce said "lie estimated that by the end of June Australia would have raised 280,000 men for service abroad. SOLDIERS AND LAND SETTLEMENT. Melbourne, May 10. The State War Council issued cards to soldiers in training camps in order to Ascertain what they mean to do after the war. Nine thousand cards -were returned, of which 1027 expressed a desire for settlement on the land. PENSIONS IN NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, May 10. 'At the Labor Conference, Mr. Holinan stated that t'lie Government felt that the Commonwealth pension of '2oa per week for incapacitated soldiers was too small, and the State was supplementing it oy a similar amount. Referring to wounded men who were able to follow their pre-war avocations, and whose pension was less than their earnings previously, the State would supply the difference. The scheme would probably involve an annual expenditure of £750,000. INCREASE OF PENSIONS. ■ Received May 10, 10 p.m. Melbourne, May 10. In the House, the Treasurer stated tl.at the Government had decided to increase war pensions to incapacitated privates from 20s to 30s weekly, with cor- . responding inorNua* in thg higher fukg. ]