RATE OF REINFORCEMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 162, 28 March 1918, Page 6

RATE OF REINFORCEMENTS

STATEMENT BY DEFENCE ' MINISTER.

From time to time recently reductions in the rate of.reinforceiiients have been announced in New Zealand. Possibly as a result of these announcements a question was asked in the British House of Commons on the subject. Mr. J. I. Macpherson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Yi'ar Office, replying to the question, said that he believed that the rate of reinforcements from Xevt Zealand was .sufficient to maintain the formations at full strength. On the question and the answer the Minister tff Defence (Sir James Allen) has made the following statement: — "I am not disturbed about the strength of the New Zealand main bodies at the front. We nave relied upon the Army Council to advise us from time, to time of the necessary monthly percentage to keep the main bodies up to full strength, and we have never deviated from the advice given to 'us; and we have not failed to send our full number' of reinforce- j incuts in accordance with the advice., j "The Army Council in assessing the percentages have acled in accordance with their actual . experience of the losses at the front. At one time—dur- ■ ing a short period—the losses have . been heavy, and the percentage of reinforcements was heavy. During an-' other—more or less lengthy—period the losses were not so great, and the per- ; centnge of reinforcements has been re- , cluced. , ! "I am satisfied that with regard to . the present percentage • the advice of i the Army Council is sound, and I j judge of' this r.ot only as they havo i sent it to us, but also bceauso it is i supported by responsible officers at the j front." i