THE "ANZACS"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 86, 4 January 1918, Page 4

THE "ANZACS"

RK-AR li ANGKMENT OK AUSTRALIAN FORCES. A, cablegram from Australia, published yesterday, contained tlio statement that in consequence of the reorganisation of the Australian divisions at the front, the old Australian and New Zealand Army Corps has disappeared. The New Zealand Division is associated now with British troops, and tlio name Anzac "ceases to have significance." The message appeared to have been garbled to some extent in transmission. Hints wore given during the referendum campaign in Australia that in the event of the electors rejecting conscription, and so making it certain that full reinforcement quotas would not bo available, the Commonwealth would be unable to maintain its five divisions intact. Just what has happened now is not made clear by the cablegram, but the fact that the five divisions have been formed into a single Australian Army Corps suggests that the force is being adjusted in the light of tho referendum vote. Formerly there were two Australian corps, a purely Australian corps and a mixed Australian and New Zealand corps.

An official statement will be made regarding the change as it affects the New Zealand Division. The statement that the name Anzac now "ceases to have significance" cannot have been intended to be taken literally. Tlio name long ago ceased to indicate a, particular army corps, as far as the nation was concerned. It is applied generally to troops from New Zealand and Australia, and its significance will outlast tlie war.

DEFENCE MINISTER HAS NO INFORMATION.

By Tclestrop l '-Pr->« A.anrißtion. Dunedin, January 3. Sir James Allen, asked whether he could give any further information regarding tho statement by Senator Pearce that the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps would in future be separate, tho Australians by themselves and the New Zealanders with the Britisli troops, said he could make no statement on the subject, as lie had not received any information regarding it.