MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1916, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

NEW ZEALAND'S HELP, VOLUNTARY SYSTEM HAS NOT FAILED. Received August 31, 5.35 p.ra, London, August 30. The Press Bureau circulates the New Zealand Government's contradiction of t' i statement published in London that the voluntary system had failed in New necessitating compulsion. The New Zealand Government points out that thr new Bill is a piecautionary measure in order to maintain Imperial obligations, and that the pewers contained in the Act have not yet been used. The Government adds that it has always avoided comparing New Zealand's efforts with ot'hei Dominions, but there was no reason to fear any comparison concerning the numbers | despatched by New Zealand under voluntaryism. ' THE TIMES' EXPLANATION. Received August 31, 7.30 p.m. London, August 31. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, in a letter to the Times, protests against the statement in a Times' leader on the 25th, concerning New Zealand compulsion. The Times in its comments states: We need hardly say it was not intended to reflect on New Zealand, which has followed the British example of adopting a measure generally regarded as proof of the utmost national devotion. Nevertheless the statement war Accurate in hat when New Zealand adopted a compulsion Bill, volunteers for drafts had fallen short, and it was .hoped that the mere passing of a Compulsion. Act would bring the voluntary drafts up to strength. The Times congratulates New Zealand on the accuracy of the Minister's perception and the people's patriotism in accepting the remedy.

HELP FOR OLD AGE .PENSIONS. Received August 31. G. 35 p.m. London, August 30. Official: With.a view to relieving the distress pf old pensioners the Government is making n grant to meet the cost o£ allowances, not exceeding an additional <>s (Id weekly, to those suffering special hardships arising out of the war. MILITARY RESISTER PUNISHED. London, August 30. Clifford Allen, formerly chairman of the Non-Conscription Fellowship, has been sentenced to a year's hard labor for disobedience of military orders.The meat trade's Red Cross funds amount to £90,000. The committee is offering the original of Lord Kitchener's letter on recruiting for 1000 guineas, as a prize for the nearest giiessei of the number of marriages ami births in England in 1010. Otliei prizes amounting to £3OO are offered. The ine.it traders are providing the prize money, and one is giving £IOOO. The competition is open to Australia and New ZealaH. The shilling entrance fees go to t. fund.