WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1916, Page 7

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

PARTY FUSION. '(From Own Correspondent). Wellington, September 9. The Bon. Dr. McNab, speaking- m behalf of the Liberal members of the National Cabinet, told a News correspondent o« Saturday that the story of am arrangement within the National Cabinet to bring about a permanent fusion -of parties was absolute nonsense. He was quite sure that the spirit of the agreement that .had brought the National Government into existence was being loyally observed on both sides. "The- National Cabinet was formed | with a clear understanding that there -was to be no sacrifice of rights or principles on either side," said Dr. McXab, I who is the acting-leader of the Liberal I Party. "Liberals and Reformers agreed j that party warfare was to be suspended [during the war period, and the National Government lhas worked on -that basis. If any person cares to interpret a loyal observance of this agreement as a sacrifice of party principle, or as a conspiracy against a particular party, then that is no concern of mine. The members of the National Government will continue to play the game fairly," DELAYED ENROLMENTS. Wellington, September .10. Tolment forms and applications for 1 certificates of enrolment under the Military Service Act are not coming , forward as quickly as they should do. The Government Statistician states that the number of forms already received does not represent more than Jialf of the men of military age included in the two divisions of the 'Expeditionary Force Reserve, and it is evident that very many men fire delaying in the performance of the duty imposed upon them by the Act. Similar hesitation | was shown last year when the forms fot the National Register were being issued and collected. "Every man is within his rights in delaying till the last clay if lie wants to," said one of the officials on Saturday, "but the period allowed for the enrolment of the First Division expires on Friday next a.iid for the Second Division on Saturday, so the time is short. The wise man is he who fills up his form early, and so gives the authorities a chance to deal with it within the period allowed. "Apparently there is an impression still in some quarters that the Recruiting Board is asking men to join, the Reserve. That, of course, is not the position at all. All men of military age are members of the Reserve already, by proclamation under the Military Service Act. They are now directed to take the necessary steps to place themselves in possession of certificates of enrolment. The man who 'has not furnished his address to the Government Statistician, and who has not received a certifieata, will rank as a deserter, and a desertion in war time is no trilling offence. I think that fact will be made quite clear later." j