OUR OBLIGATIONS IN MEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2781, 27 May 1916, Page 7

OUR OBLIGATIONS IN MEN

" A QUESTION IN THE HOUSE. . A question as to tho number of men' New Zealand has promised to send to tha aid- of. the Imperial Government was asked of 'the Minister' of Defence yesterday by Mr. R,? M'Callum. ' ■ ':- Mr. M'Callum 'asked the Minister whether he would give the House informal tion as to tho exact number'of mm proi mised to the Imperial Government, ; and exactly what : our-obligations were in.ro'. gard to Reinforcements. Mr,■••Payne:'Alid ! why wasn't ment conbTUted The Minister said : that he could noti givo exact -figures, -but"he* (»uld'-give: approximate figures., - U'liL- original foice waa between 8000 and 9000 men; 'Subsequently that Main Body was by variolic units until'it reached 13,000 inen. 'Juijfc ■then, after the Galljpoli* campaign, when, the troops were being reorganised,; tha New Zealand dirision - was formed, which' brought the Main Body up from 13.000 to eomething like. 20,000 ; men; .- In addition t<> that, there .were-Mounted Rifles,'who remained in Egypt, upproximAtely?" > .2000 of them, making, about 22,000 inen in the' Main Body. Reinforcements-' were, ;iuow[ being sent not upon'Booo or 3000, but,on. • approximately 22,000 men. ■ Mr. M'Callum: Must wo keep up "tho present numbers? Mr. Allen: Yes, we havo pledged onfl word to the Imperial authorities to koup up tho Reinforcements on the Main Bod;!-, Mr. M'Callum: No.'inatter how they am treated the'front, ;or what; fate befalls them? If they ara all wiped out we must reinforce them? Mr. Allen: We must ; keep up the. Main Body. If they arc all wiped out wo must reinforce them. OurTreinforcements at the present rate will reproduco the Main. Body in less than ' twelve months-from now. ■ . ... ■