NEW ZEALAND'S PART.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15871, 10 April 1917, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND'S PART.

3IEN AND FOOD SUPPLIER STATEMENT BY SIR JAilEs ALLEN'. (press association telecraX) "WELLINGTON, April 3. "Speaking after very deliberate con. sidcratiou, and on information received I want to say with regard to the DB I tional efficiency question," stated Sir James Alien to-dny, "that the most nr. gent claim upon Ne»y Zealand at the present time is to keep up the number of men for the various reinforcements. It must be evident to every man that it is to the advantago of tho Mother Country and her Allies to exert as much pressure as the* can in order to bring th* war to a climax this summer if possible. I uso the word 'climax' advisedly. F rom the point of view of ourselves and our Allies it is the most economical thine with regard to men, money, food gun! plies, aud everything to finish tho this summer if it is at all possible. If we havo to drag over another winter it will mean a heavy cost in money id men aud everything else, 60 wo roust not slacken in our elforts. Next to tie demand for men to keep up the reini'orcements, and wo are not asking for more than for our usual drafts, come foodstuffs, and what wo can export for tho uso of our men at the front and for the people at Home. It is our duty to keep our products up as far as to uro ablo to do it, and from tho point of view of those engaged in thejo industriea it is as well that we should finish tho war this year if we can." Questioned with regard to tho subject of shipping space for product*, Sir James Allen said: —"We havo not got much control over tho shipping question in Now Zealand except that we are urging tlio Home authorities to supply us with aa much shipping as possibly can bo got to get our product# away, but it may bo that we shall b© shorter of shipping during the year partly owing to tho submarino menace and partly to tho fact that tho Imperial Government may find it necessary, to find food supplies from nearer their orm shores. Indeed, they have already done that ill tho ens© of two ships."