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Various Facts

ew Zealand's area (excluding outlying islands) is 103,581 square miles. The estimated white population at 31st December, 1915, was 1,102,825, comprising 563,984 male and 538,841 female. The estimated male population of military age (20 to 44 years, inclusive) was 223,344.

Exports (excluding specie), 1915:—£31,748,912 (mainly primary produce, very helpful to the Mother Country and her allies). Imports:—£21,728,834. Total trade per head of population, £48 12s. 10d. (the highest average in the world).

Men's National Reserve (supplementary to the Territorial system), 22,600 (approximate). Under new regulations, a Dominion Council is being formed, consisting of the Chief Commandant (Colonel Porter), the District Commandants (seven), and the Commandant of the Engineers.

Women's National Reserve, 5,000 (approximate).—

The strength is increasing rapidly. The executive is arranging to supply women for certain occupations, thus enabling numbers of eligible men to enlist.

Pay Office.—This is a new department, created by the war. Since August, 1914, the staff has increased from 5 to 148 (May, 1916). About 51,000 soldiers are on the pay roll. The card-indexed trade accounts, covering expenditure on transport charters, materials and other items, in and out of New Zealand, number about 25,000. Early in April the Minister of Defence announced that the total expenditure on the war had been about £8,700,000.

Base Records Office, which keeps in touch with every soldier from the date of embarkation to the day of his discharge, has a staff of 112 (May, 1916), in addition to the staffs in the sub-offices of the camps.

Patriotic Funds.—The Patriotic Societies, throughout New Zealand, have raised over £1,000,000 for the aid of wounded or sick soldiers and sailors, and also dependents of those who have given their lives for their country. The purpose is to supplement the pensions due to discharged members of the forces or to their dependents.

Places for the Worthy.—The State has a plan and an organisation to help returned soldiers to find employment, in town or country, or to establish themselves on the land.

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