INFLEXIBLE DETERMINATION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2635, 4 December 1915, Page 14

INFLEXIBLE DETERMINATION

TO ASSIST THE MOTHERLAND. "In this Dominion our Government is inflexible in its determination to assist the Motherland to prosecute the war to a successful termination, and, with that end in view, will, if necessal'y, send every man of military age and fitness to -the front," remarked Mr. 11. Boaucbamp at the Bank of New Zealand meeting yesterday. Continuing, ho said: "Reoeutly here, as in the case of Australia, a war census lias been taken, with the object of ascertaining how many men are still available for this piirpose. So far, no difficulty has beeii experienced, under the voluntary system, in obtaining ample supplies of eligible men to malce good tho "wastage" that has occurred since the dispatch of our Main Expeditionary Forces. If, however, later on, there be any failure to respond to tho call to arms, I am satisfied that neither the Commonwealth nor the Dominion C4overnment will hesitate to take such steps as will compel every man, of military age, to perform lis duty to the Empire. "As far as our staff, including London, Australia, and Fiji, is concerned, everything possible is being done. Wo have at present 164 men on military service, and 100 wlio have volunteered and are waiting their turn to be relieved. Thirteen of those gone to the front have lost their liycs, and twenty-two have been wounded! I am sure you will join with me hi extending our heartfelt sympathy to the relatives of our gallant officers who liave fallen in defence of King and country. When all tho volunteers have joined the forces, our pay-sheet for men on active service will reach something .like £20,000 per annum —in itself a very substantial contribution to the war funds."