REINFORCEMENT DRAFTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3981, 14 July 1915, Page 5

REINFORCEMENT DRAFTS.

DEPARTMENTAL* SYSTEM EXPLAINED. ANSWER TO CRITICISM/ F; By Telegraph—Special Correspondent AVELLINGTON, Julv 13. The memorandum by Col. Gibbon, Chief of the General Staff, relating to the provision of reinforcement drafts for the Expeditionary Force, ■which was laid on. the table by the Minister for Defence to-day, opens with an important .statement as to the system and objects of reinforcement- drafts. The memorandum states that the reinforcements sat from New Zealand are not intended to increase the size of the Expeditionary Force in the field. Their role is to maintain that force in the field at full strength and at its full fighting efficiency at all times. Casualties, whether caused by deaths, wounds, sickness,„ or strain, must lie made good by efficient and. fit men within a few hours: otherwise defeat may be the result. Reinforcements must be available and ready to replace wifstage before casualties occur. The scale of wastage, calculated from the experience of past wars, has proved to be an under-estimate, anil New Zealand lias had to increase her efforts. Accordingly, there was a tendency in tho early part of the present year to criticise the necessity for such large reinforcements to be sent before the Expeditionary Force hart seen a shot fired. Actual events, however, in the Dardanelles have shown the 'wisdom of the policy laid down by the Army Council. ‘‘■But New Zealand has not- limited herself to providing reinforcements on this greatly increased scale. She lias, in addition, provided many new units subsequent to the despatching of the main body. For instance, the scale of reinforcements r-quired for infantry is calculated at I/O per cent, per linnurn. If. therefore, a new battalion is offered, it means that almost two additional battalions must- be provided as reinforcements for that one battalion for each year the war may continue.” SIZE OF DRAFTS. The memo, proceeds: "At any t ine there may be a temporary surplus of registration. Great care is necessary before the popular cry to mate an increased offer of fresh, troops can be acceded to. To put units into the field which waste away for want of reinforcements is entirely opposed to the- principles laid down by the Imperial Government for the maintenance of our armies in the field. AYe have to prepare for a war which may last for three years. It would be an everlasting disgrace to New Zealand if, before the war came to an end, she had to confess that she could not maintain her expeditionary force m the field. The honor of putting a large number of units into the field at the one time would he forgotten in the failure to maintain them there. AYe must prepare for a long war, and it is essential that wo should count the cost and make sure that our resources of men are organised in such a manner as to last to the finish. New

Zealand must not be exhausted before peace lias been declared. LOCAL TRAINING CAMPS. It- is stated that it has not been considered advisable or practicable to institute local training camps for reinforcements. Staff corps officers could not be spared- in sufficient numbers for them, and they would involve great additional expense. Regarding registration, medu lly rejected men are given certifier s. Men to go to Trentham scree "ji in order of registration, but men : - gistering for a branch for wlticii t-n re is little demand may be called la* :t than those registering for a bran \ for which there is greater deman . Regarding the suggestion to replat - the registration system by a system o; immediate acceptance of recruits on enlistment, it is stated that in practice. the ’ registration system _ has worked out- well and proved efficient. The object of New Zealand recruiting is to obtain a certain definite quota for the Imperial Government at- definite stated intervals. There has been no lack of men under the registration system, whilst under the direct- enlistment system there has boon, according to press cables, a difficulty in finding the requisite numbers, Ik>L» in the United Kingdom and Australia. Recruits, it- is stated, nave come forward in New Zealand so well mat there has been no necessity to alter the standards of height, etc, or ot the medical tests in order to make up the necessary numbers for the Front, li the war - goes on long enough, no doubt those who are excluded under present conditions will get tiieir chance. The eyesight test is the same as that in force in England and Australia, and the actual fact is that the standard required is low. As the system of calling equal drafts from each of the four military districts did not take into consideration the fact that- some districts have not as many available recruits as others, and as reinforcements will be appreciably increased with, the Eighth Reinforcements on account- of the new units which have been raised in New Zealand, it was decided to alter the system of equal quotas oil a basis ot the available numbers registered in each district, at the time of the cabin g up of a reinforcement draft- AA hen each reinforcement draft is called up the Defence Department- intends to communicate to the press the proportions in winch the different quotas have been allotted to the different districts.

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS. Officers, it is stated 1 , are chosen with regard to their previous experience from the number on mo list in the various districts. Civilian candidates are not accepted for service as officers, and must obtain promotion from the ranks. Yerv large numbers of officers are required to supply reinforcements drafts in future, aiid the supply from the Territorial force is gradually beim* exhausted. The smallest- possible number of suitable senior officers is called up for each draft, and! vacancies are filled up as far as possible from the draft itself. Men who desire to serve as non-commissioned otficers with the reinforcements are required to register at t-ne Defence Offices in a similar manner to the ordinary recruit-- Preference is given to men who are already noncommissioned officers in the Territorial force, or w-ho have had previous military experience. If sufficient numbers ot this class of men are not forthcoming., civilians who have g<jod education and) knowledge are nominated- Non-com-missioned officers from each Reinforcement draft are given commissions to fill vacancies which may have occurred m the ranks of the officers during the course of training camp. Commissions will also bo given to makeup anv shortage of officers in the establishment of drafts coming mto camp.