DOMINION'S PART.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1916, Page 5

DOMINION'S PART.

THE MAORI BOYS. READY FOR THE HU'N3 By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. In a letter to the Defence Minister, General Bird wood says: ''The Maoris seem to me to be really happy in their pioneer battalion. I have had more than one talk with Captain Buck recently about them, and gather that he is now perfectly satisfied. "Before they leave /or France I am seeing every brigade in turn, and telling them I have not the lea.st doubt whatever about their fighting qualifications, but that I rely upon every man individually to uphold the honor of New Zealand and Australia in discipline, which I confidently expect them to do when we get to France. "We now have the Rifle Brigade complete, and a really fine body of men they are." NEW ZEALAND MOUNTED MEN. NOT ON WEST FRONT. Wellington, Last Night. The Minister for Defence stated tonight that the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade has not gone to the West front, but it has been joined up with the, Australian Light Horse to form an Australasian Mounted Rifle Division for service in a quarter other than Europe. Mr. Allen added that the New Zealand infantry had been accompanied by one squadron of Otago Hussars. This unit had been attached to the division when the forces were reorganised, and remained with it when transferred to the new front. v. Referring to hospital arrangements, the Minister said that the present proposal was that the sick and wounded likely to bo available for further service, and men afflicted bythe Egyptian climate, will be sent to English hospitals, and others sent to t Egypt, returning to New Zealand, as opportunity offers, in transports.