NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 22 August 1917, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

THE TENTH BALLOi. WELLINGTON, August 21. The Tenth Ballot, to complete the 34th and 35th Reinforcement drafts, began to-day. About- fifteen thousand names will be drawn , leaving about eight thousand from which to secure the 36th draft. For the 34th draft the quota was 2308, and 784 voluntary recruits passed as fit, leaving the national shortage at 1524. For the 35th draft the quota was 2350, and 143 volunteers passed as fit, leaving a shortage of 2207. ■RETURNING. ON FURLOUGH. THE MAIN BODY AND REINFORCEMENTS. WELLINGTON, August 21. Further important details of the plans to bring back the Main Body men were given to your correspondent by Sir James Allen. The coir plete scheme is almost ready, and will be probably explained to the House on Tusday. “The Main Body,” said the Minister, “includes also the First Reinforcements We propose to bring back 250 every four weeks, and hope to commnce in September The men will be given two months’ leave on furlough with full pay in New Zealand. I don’t think we can give them three week’s free travelling, as they will get This when they finally return for discharge. ]We havie not considered the details yet, but the men no doubt will get passes to their homes. We will continue to bring back monthly drafts of 250 men.”

“Will the Government return the whole Main Body ” asked, ’your correspondent.

“Yes?’ replied Sir James Allen. “At first L thought we would be able to bring four monthly drafts, but now I am pleased to be "able to state that this process will be continued till the end of the war, so that many of our reinforcement drafts will get furlough if the war lasts. We will keep it up on condition that when the men return on furlough there will be no demand that the*y“should remain. They have enlisted for the duration of the war, and will be here only on furlough, The people must understand that they must go hack.”