OUR MINISTERS AT HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1916, Page 5

OUR MINISTERS AT HOME.

THE PRICE OF MEAT. Australian-N.Z. Cable Association. London, October 2,1. Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph "Ward have arrived at a settlement with Mr. Runciman regarding the price of New Zealand meat.

COMFORTS FOR THE WOUNDED. London, October '2O.

Mr. Massey has authorised the expenditure of £2700 to provide a recreation room and other additional accommodation at illprnchurch for soldiers' comfort in winter, and has also authorised the erection of a social hall at the Walton-on-Thameg Hospital.

VISIT TO FRANCE. London, October'2l

Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph W/ilrd will visit the troops in France on October 30. VISITING HORNCRUROH CAMP. , London, October 22. Mr. Massey, Sir .Joseph Ward, Sir f. Mackenzie and Sir .T. Carroll, accompanied by General Richardson, visited the convalescents at Hornehurch Camp and inspected the provision for the men's comfort. Afterwards the troops were paraded. Mr. Massev, addressing them, said the Government was determined there should be no cheeseparing where the comfort of those who had done their duty for the Empire was concerned. He had already authorised expenditure to effect an improvement and afford greater comfort during the winter.

Mr. Massey assured them that thfe Government realised its duty towards the dependents of those falling in battle or tfeing permanently disabled. He complimented the men on their brilliant work on the Sonime. Now Zealand would never forget their gallantry. There had been matter for reproach in the past in the way that those who tought for the Empire were treated after the war. but that reproach must never recur. It would be New Zealand's duty to see that soldiers should not complain after the war. He stated that ,hc believed the Dominion's pension proposals were thi> most liberal in the world. New Zealand had been able, up till now, to maintain her strength without compulsion, and it would be a matter for the deepest satisfaction if the future historian could record that she had maintained voluntaryism throughout this g'-eat struggle. He was sure "New Zcalanders did not want "forced" men to fight side by side With voluntaryists. Sir Joseph Ward re-echoed Mr. Massev's congratulations. He said New Zealunders had done such work that it made tlw people of the Dominion justly proud. He paid a tribute to the Maoris, who had done equally as well as their white comrades, and gained ungrudging admiration for their splendid gallantry. New Zealand would see that those who fought the Empire's battle were not neglected on their return to their homeland.