393
•
8
the Citizens' War Chest" Fund, Sydney, and to the previous contribution of £30,000 for the month of April. The Agent-General has also been authorized by his Government to make payments up to £8,000 for relief in other countries, making a total in cash disbursements alone for May of £37,750. Since the commencement of the war nearly a quarter of a million sterling has been subscribed in cash by New South Wales for various relief works in Belgium, and gifts in kind sent home approach a value of nearly £240,000 in addition.
14th May, 1915.
23648
21896
No. 23. VICTORIA.
MEMORANDUM RECEIVED FROM THE AGENT-GENERAL. THE Agent-General for Victoria, Australia (the Honourable Peter McBride), has handed over to the National Committee for Relief in Belgium a cheque for £2,000, being a further contribution from the city and district of Geelong. -Colonial Office,
21st May, 1915.
22419
9
No. 26.
NEW ZEALAND.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received 9.53 a.m., 12th May, 1915.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 27.]
THE people of New Zealand have been much moved by the list of casualties, and their anxiety is for the care of the wounded. First, with concurrence of my Ministers, I personally desire to ask you whether you think the provision of a hospital ship, fully equipped, would be appreciated and of use to the Imperial Government. I have reason to believe such an appeal would have a great reception, and would commend itself from the fact that, while primarily intended for con- veyance of New Zealanders from the front to base hospital, it would be available also for such work as the Imperial authorities considered necessary. Secondly, do you consider that all hospital arrangements are satisfactory? Thirdly, do you think New Zealand can do anything more to assist towards the comfort and treat- ment of sick and wounded? Fourthly, I should be much obliged for a reply, if you can, by return, as if our suggestion is acceptable we want to get to work at once, so as to despatch the ship as soon as possible. Fifthly, should you concur, please do not make it public till you hear further from me.-LIVERPOOL..
SIR,
No. 24.
NEW SOUTH WALES.
COLONIAL OFFICE to THE AGENT-GENERAL.
Downing Street, 25th May, 1915. WITH reference to your letter of 29th April,* as to the gift of motor ambu-
"War Chest Lances from the New South Wales Citizens'
Fund, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to ask you to convey to the donors an expression of the Army Council's warm appreciation of their generosity.
2. With regard to the allocation of these ambulances the Army Council point out that the present terrain in the Mediterranean theatre of operations has been found wholly unsuited to the employment of motor vehicles, and that therefore, until more favourable ground is occupied, it may not be possible to allot these ambulances to the Commonwealth Force.
3. In these circumstances, Mr. Harcourt would be glad to learn whether it would be in accordance with the wishes of the donors that the distribution should be left to the discretion of the Army Council, who would be in a position to find important employment for these vehicles in the Western theatre if, for the reasons stated above, their despatch to the Mediterranean should prove impracticable.
4. I am to ask you to be good enough to furnish, for the information of the War Office, full particulars of the six motor ambulances, as regards make, horse- power, and accommodation for patients.
I am, &c.,
HENRY LAMBERT, for the Under-Secretary of State.
NEW ZEALAND.
NEW
22275
No. 27.
NEW ZEALAND.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (Sent 5.3 p.m., 15th May, 1915.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 28.]
The
YOUR telegram 12th May.* His Majesty's Government would gladly welcome a hospital ship from the Dominion of New Zealand, and highly appreciate the patriotic motives which have prompted the offer of this splendid gift. gallantry and devotion of the Dominion troops, which have been conspicuously dis- played in the arduous operations now in progress on the Gallipoli Peninsula, have moved us deeply, and the Government of New Zealand may be assured that every effort will be made to secure the proper and efficient treatment of the sick and wounded. The advent of a fully equipped hospital ship would materially assist the military medical authorities. A report specially called for from Egypt makes it clear that the situation is being efficiently handled in the difficult circumstances. It would ease the stress here if as many doctors as are available could be sent, together with fifty additional nurses for Malta and fifty for Egypt. Nothing will be made public until a further communication is received from you.-HARCOURT.
22477
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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***75588
No. 25.
ZEALAND.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 7.42 a.m., 2nd April, 1915.) TELEGRAM.
SINCE 1st February following gifts have been contributed to Belgian relief through fund of which I am patron:-8,081 carcases mutton, 122 quarters beef, 13 cases of cheese, 40 boxes butter, 9 cases of rabbits, 218 cases of clothing, 7 bales clothing, 8 bales blankets, 5 sacks peas.-LIVERPOOL.
* No. 17.
No. 28.
NEW ZEALAND.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 1.50 p.m., 16th May, 1915.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 29.]
YOUR telegram of 15th May.t First, am going to consult with my Ministers to-morrow with regard to engaging ship for hospital service. Do you
* No. 26.
† No. 27.
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