THE REINFORCEMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 208, 22 May 1918, Page 8

THE REINFORCEMENTS

NOT ENOUGH SHIPPING

AUGUST DRAFT FULL

Sir James Allen said yesterday that owing to the lack of sufticiuit shipping it might not be possible for New Zealand to iuiiil completely its undertaking to the Imperial Government in the matter or the dispatch of additional reinforcements up to the niontn of August. Tno Dominion's quota would, however, be nearly equal to the commitment. Sir James Allen said also tnat ho anticipated that after August the rate of relmorcenieWb would revert to that in force before the urgent appeal for more men came from the Imperial Government aud matle a temporary increase iu the rate of dispatch, part of the policy of the New Zealand Government. .

This announcement has not ,bccn unexpected nniong those in touch witli the recruiting and embarkation work. It is not expected that there will bo sufficient shipping available to cany large numbers of men from New Zealand in the later months of this year. Nor does there seem to lie any hurry about (jetting men into camp early. All the men who are now being medically examined are being given leave until the September draft is mobilised. None of the second lot of flie Class B men can go into camp before this date, and most of them may be a month or two mouths later. If the old rata is to be reverted to, lists of 10,000 balloted men -will not be necessary every month. The- question has been discussed by the Department, however, as to whether it will not be wise policy to call up the married men as soon as' they can be conveniently denlt with, mid to have them medically examined. It may be, therefore, that for some time medical examinations will be in excess of recruiting requirements.