The Daily News. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1914. MORE MEN WANTED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 145, 13 November 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1914. MORE MEN WANTED.

Britain now fully realises that, in order to see tlie war through to tho bitter end, it is necessary to put in the field a much larger force than she contemplated at first. Originally, on lord Kitchener assuming chief command, five hundred thousand men were called for, additional to the standing army and Territorials. Tli is was subsequently increased by another half-million. Now Britain is asking for a second million, making, with her Expeditionary Force and Territorials, nearly two and a half millions. This is exclusive! of the colonial contingents and the Indian forces. Several weeks ago Canada, with greater discernment than the 'Mother Country, saw that more troops would be needed, apd took steps to train another seventy thousand inen, bringing her complement to a hundred thousand. Canada's Minister of Defence has stated that Canada could bring her forces up to a strength of lialf a million. 'This number would take tremendous toll of the manhood of this patriotic and resolute Dominion, hut there is no doubt that all of tlie British colonies and dependencies will need to substantially increase their contingents. Wc have all along argued that New Zealand should do more than she has done. Nino to ten thousand men is not enough. On a population basis New Zealand's share would be forty thousand, Australia's two hundred thousand, and Canada's three hundred thousand. Forty thousand may soem a huge force for New Zealand to send forward to assist in fighting the Empire's battles, and, economically speaking, it is one we can ill afford, but who will say it is too big a price to pay for the preservation of our integrity and independence?# Both are threatened in a way they never have been before. Germany has to be crushed, or our life as a nation and our existence as an Empire will be gravely imperilled. The supreme crisis in our history has arrived, and to meet it we must put forth every effort and make every sacrifice. New Zealand's duty is clearer now that Britain has intimated her intention of doubling her forces than ever it was, and the Government should not hesitate to offer at least another twenty thousand men, and call immediately for volunteers. That they can be got without difficulty is evident by the rush for places in the previous contingent, and by the spirit manifested by our young manhood gen- ' sr*lly. There is need for them, and this knowledge is sufficient to ensure tha filling of every place in the much larger contingent suggested. Is is rather significant that a census of the able-bodied men of Britain is to be taken. This may

but bo preliminary to adopting conscription, which is now justified if ever it was, providing, of course, recruiting is inadequate. The Imperial Govern" ment's new pension scheme, however, j should greatly stimulate volunteering. Considerable 'numbers of men, anxious to serve their country, have held back because of others being dependent upon Hiem, The Government proposes to do its duty, and come to the rescue of these men. The cost is estimated at two hundred millions sterling, if the war lasts two years, but, however large the sum may prove, it is one that should cheerfully be borne by the nation. There is a good deal to be said in favor of the proposal advocated by the London Morning Post, that all those of military age in Britain should undergo six mohths' systematic training. The Spectator's experiments in training men shows that from three to four months is sufficient ) to turn out a fairly efficient soldier. In the. artillery service, however,' a much longer time, is essential, and in>' a larger degree the same is the case with I officers. But Britain lias a very large I number of officers on the retired list, ( whose services at -such a time as this' 1 would be at the service of their country. With all the available manhood trained to. bear arms, we could maintain a strength of even two millions on the Continent. They will all be wanted before Germany is subdued'; that must be evident by this, and the sooner they are on the scene of action the shorter will be the duration of the war. ,

The war, in any case, must last a long time. This fact is being realised by Britain, and it is gratifying to see she is making arrangements accordingly. Ab Mr. Llovd-Georgo states: "The fact that Britain has two million trained men will alone be a big' element in the final settlement. With an invincible navy and a huge army, fully-baked and ready, Britain will hold a strong hand indeed when it eomcs to arranging terms of peace, not. of course, that Britain desires .to take advantage of her Allies in any way, but she must be in the position to so arrange terms that will ensure a reduction 0 f armaments and an abiding peace. Meantime New Zealand should not hesitate to do its manifest duty, and toe the mark with tho other colonies and Britain.