FULL STRENGTH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1807, 28 March 1918, Page 3

FULL STRENGTH.

N.Z. REINFORCEMENTS. STATEMENT BY SIR JAMES ALLEN. Speaking in the House of Commons last week, Mr J. I. Macpherson, Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office, replying to Air Davies, said that such reinforcements had been asked of Ncav Zealand as Avere necessary to maintain the Ncav Zealand formations at their established strength. Mr Davies enquired; “Are the drafts sufficient to keep up the formations at full strength?” Mr Macpherson replied: “I believe that is the case.” Sir James Allen, Minister of Defence, referring to the question raised in the above cable message, made the folloAving statement to a Post representative yesterday:— “I am not disturbed about the strength of the Ncav Zealand main bodies at the front. -Wo have 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 Ave luiA'e never deviated from the advice given to us; aud avc have not failed to send our full number of Reinforcements in accordance Avith that advice. “The Army Council in assessing the percentage have acted in accordance Avith their actual experience of the losses at the front. At one time —during a short period—the losses were not so great, and the percentage of Reinforcements has been reduced. “I am satisfied that Avith regard to the present percentage, the advice of the Army Council is sound, and I judge of this not only as they have sent it to us, hut also because it is supported by responsible officers at the front.”