RETURN OF OUR ARMY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16420, 14 January 1919, Page 6

RETURN OF OUR ARMY.

PROBABLE ALTERATION OF ARRANGEMENTS. EXPECTED BACK SOONER THAN ANTICIPATED. (special to "the rBtSS.") > WELLINGTON, January 13. It appears from a statement made by Sir James Allen that there is a good chance of the New Zealand Forces being brought back from Britain much socner than was at first anticipated, rho fear was that a certain number of fit men would bo retained in England and in France until the signing of tho Peace Treaty, lest tbero might be need for armed action again against tho Germans. The request of the Now Zealand Government is, that as the New Zealandeiy? havo to go so far to thoir homes, no opportunity of shipping them should bo lost. It is bolicved that this request will be granted, and, if so, they will all como back to this country as Roon as transports can bo found for them. As to tho order in which the men aro to como back, no change has been made in the_ arrangomonts at first announced. Tho sick and wounded will como first, with the exception that theso who aro too ill to travel, except in hospital ships, will havo to wait until hospital ships can bring them. It is bolicved. however, that the hospital ships will not require to run very much longer; in a little timo they should be able to evacuate all tho cot cases remaining in tho British hospitals. After they have served their turn as hospital ships, it will be for tho Government to say whothor thoy will bo used again as transports, or handed back to their owners. If they aro to be used as transports they will havo to bo refittod, and as this will bo an expensive business, the Government may choose to have thom refitted again for thoir ordinary trades as passenger liners, and give them back to tho Union Company. After the sick and wounded men will come tho fit men in order of seniority in the Foroo. The Main Body men will come back first, and tho men of the several reinforcements in their turn. There aro to be some exceptions to this rule. Tho Pioneer Battalion, consisting almost wholly of miners and Maoris, aro to come back immediately, and tho Cook Islanders are also coming back at once. The Government has asked also for tho quick return of tho ooalmincrs, of men with uncompleted terms of apprenticeship, and Publio Works engineers. There is also the special case of tho men who have urgent reneons for wishing to return. Their applications are always enquired into, and if the reasons are good, and the conduct report of tho men is good, the applications are generally igrnnted. It should bo understood thai tho British Government has not vet given any undertaking that New Zealanders aro to be but it is believed thnt they will bo allowed to como home as soon as possible. A force must bo kept in readiness in Germany until peace has been sitmod, but it is hoped that. New Zealandem will not be held for this duty.