THE MAIN BODY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3170, 22 August 1917, Page 6

THE MAIN BODY

SCHEME OF FURLOUGH

MINISTER EXPLAINS DETAILS

The Minister of Defence made a statement jn tho House .of Representatives last night concerning the arrangements made for the return of the Main Body men to New Zealand on furlough, lie said that the whole of tho Main Body men at present in Egypt and Palestine, probably not more than 200 in all, would bo brought to tho Dominion on leave as early as possible, in (no group or pos- } siblv iu two groups. : With respect to the Main Body men in France, it was proposed to bring these 111011 'back at tho rate of 200 every four weeks if transports woro available. Tho Dcfenco Department hod been able to devise a scheme for bringing back meu on furlough at this rote from now until tho close of the war. Tho men of the Main Body and the First Keinforccments would have priority as of right. Men ot the Samoan Force who had joined a reinforcement immediately on their return to New Zealand would count as Main Body men This would not be the case if they had taken furlough before joining a reinforcement, lie would ask tho Houso and tho country generally to assist the Government in seeing that the men went back to the front at the close of their furlough. If they did pot, then tho scheme would break down. Tho men would have two months' leave in New Zealand, and the journey would occupy two months each way, making four months in all.

"We shall have to supply 1500 extra men in order to provide for this furlough," said the Minister. "Wo can see our way to do this if tho Dominion koeps up tho present rate of reinforcements for another month or two. That is necessary in order to keep the Division up to strength and replace the men on leave. After the first six months tho returninj furlough men will balanco the departing drafts."

The Minister added that the number of Main Body men in I'ranee was between 20011 and 2500. Ho proposed as an alternative that men who did pot wish to come to Now Zealand shonld' be allowed to take two months' leave in Unhand. The tamo privilege niijlit bo extended to tho men in Palestine and Egypt.