NEW ZEALAND’S FORGES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4006, 12 August 1915, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND’S FORGES.

LATEST OFFER ACCEPTED. STEADY RECRUITING NECESSARY. STATEMENT BY THE DEFENCE MINISTER. (Press Association Telegram A WELLINGTON. Aug. 11. The Imperial Government has accepted New Zealand’s offer of two additional battalions. ’piis morning Mr Alien (Minister for Defence) received tiie following telegram from the Governor, who is in Christchurch : “Army Council gratefully accepts the offer of Government of New Zealand to send two additional infantry battalions and heartily agree that they should he trained in the Dominion until February.” “Now that our offer is definitely accepted,’’ -said Mr Alien, “we will provide at Featheiston for another 10(J() men. We had provided originally for 2500, but we will now take :JSOO men I here. In the two permanent camps at Fealliciston and Trentbam we shall take 7500. The new battalions will go into'camp when the ••’lre i its’’ leave, which will he ■about the middle of October.'’ “Wili fresh recruiting efforts be necessary f"* the .Minister was asked. “'We shall seep" lie replied. “The public may as well know that between now and 1 fib December next we shall want to have in camp, in addition to what we have now. close on 12.000. We shall require that j many actually to pass the medical I test. By June of next year, we shall want over 22,050 to pass the medical officers, so you see we have our work cut- out, and especially as I have given my positive assurance, both, to General Bird wood and General Godley, that New Zealand will keep up its regular reinforcements to the main body ami for these separate butP'liuifs, Urn •TrnuiY and those \u> have just agreed to send away. Ad we want now, is a steady registration el men wif bom any undue excitement to supply these added responsibilities, but we don't want, men who register io leave their woik until asked by the j Defence authorities to do so. T hat i- j the New Zealand policy, and it has ! proved its value. e arc making this appeal especially to young unmarried men. who have not already registered. io get on to register as soon as they, can, and remain at their employment tin4ii we ask them to come out. The Kill are ready to mine into camp, and i a ; mob ■- ii-vc registered for lhe iitli. Ido want To call attention j to hat .General G:. IK- lias written i to me—dial liie antki was are not so ; anxious e'r-ut addition:'.! units as tha l a regular supply of reinforcements should he kerf no. i hey want to feel that whatever may hap non the j main body shall Ir-ve all the blank- i filled.” MAGMIME QUN CAMPAIGN. CAN THF. GUN'S BE OBTAINED f REPLY FROM THE HIGH COMMISSIONER STILL AWAITED.

The Hon. W. Morgan wrote as follows to the Minister of Defence by Sunday's mail:—-

“On arrival home iltis morning, Mr Townley’ informed me that he nad wired you stating that several residents in this district were prepared to donate machine-gun? to the number of seven or more. L am given to understand that the offers are conditional on the guns being supplied and available for our boys when they land at their destination, let that be Egypt or elsewhere. 1 desire to emphasise the point that the money will be available only on the above condition; when you give the assurance that the guns will be available as above, cheques for the amounts, which we understand the guns will cost-, viz., £230 or thereabouts, will be available. I trust yoTfmay no able to do this, otherwise the money will net- fie available. T trust you may be able to do this, otherwise the money will not be available. As it is advisable to strike while the iron is hot, I shall be glad of an early wire stating you accept, when steps will be taken to rouse the public interest, which we fee] sure will result in manv more offers.”

The following reply has been received from the Minister: “Re your letter of the 7th inst., I cabled to the High Commissioner on the oth, asking whether machine guns were available: if so, when, the number and the price. On receipt- of the necessary information I will communicate, with you again.” ' On behalf of the members of the Overseas Club. Mr Vincent Pyke. vice-president, has been making inquiries of the Minister of Defence as to the- likelihood of machine-guns being procurable as gifts to the New Zealand forces, and also as to whether it would ensure more speedy deliveries of orders if the money were sent, direct to the High Commissioner instead of through the Government. Mr Allen his informed Mr Pyke that he has cabled to the Hon. T. Mackenzie inquiring whether any machine guns are available in such circumstances, and when they could he delivered. Ho has promised t-o inform Mr Pyke when he receives a- reply from Mr Mackenzie.