The Chrønicle LEVIN. THURSDAY, JAN. 10, 191.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 10 January 1918, Page 2

The Chrønicle LEVIN. THURSDAY, JAN. 10, 191.

! Before tlie present war it was an ! accepted principle that" 110 country could spare more than ten per ; cent of its whole population for i the fighting- forces, seeing that j the whole of these are drawn from '■ adult male subjects. The countr- . ies which have borne the full brunt ! of the world-war, however, have j long since drafted a greater proi portion of their inhabitants into j the ranks, and even New Zealand, far removed as it is from the I storm centres, has sent more than j ten per cent of its people to the ; front, and the fact is reflected in ! the increasing difficulty of mahij iaining industrial and productive ! efficiency. The Imperial autlior- : ities have recognised the extent of the Dominion's efforts, and, acI cording fo the Prime Minister, | have greatly reduced the rate of i reinforcement, which is lower at present than at any time in the ; past two years. If no change is made the mobilisation of the Second Division will not pi-oceed ! beyond classes A and B during l the present year. There have

' been reports that the rate of rein- | forceinent might be increased again presently. Speaking on this subject, the Minister for Defence • said heyhad no reason to anticipate another change in the quota. .New' Zealand was in a very good position with regard to reinforce-

inents, thanks to the regular despatch of the drafts at full strength and could meet emergencies confidently. He could not draw comparisons but he felt tliat the New Zealand people, and our soldiers, could be congratulated. The j New Zealand Division would be kept at full strength during the : campaign of 1918.