FALL IN.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1915, Page 4

FALL IN.

INTKRKKTIIj'fi LETTKIfe FROM CENEJiAL GODLEY.

By Telegraph.—Special to Daily News, Wellington, Last Night. "I do very much hope that the large reinforcements necessary to keep up our New Zealand Infantry Brigade will not suffer by reason of these two new battalions," says General Godley, in the course of a letter to the Minister for Defence (Hon. J. Allen). The latter was written from the New Zealanders' position on Gallipoli, on June 24, and the reference is to the Second Battalion of the Trentham Regiment. "It would be a terrible pity if the material for the First Brigade deteriorated at all, as they have made such a name for themselves, and are acknowledged on all sides to be so excellent."

When mentioning this letter to your correspondent to-day, the Defence Minister said it was evident that General Godley feared that the despatch of new forces might interfere with the stream of reinforcements required by the origin* al expeditionary force. "I have telegraphed to him, assuring him that we will not only supply reinforcements according to the original arrangement, but will alio provide reinforcements in regular drafts for the new battalions," added Mr. Allen. "I hope that the people of this country will take General Qodley'a words to heart, and realise how important it is that we should look ahead a year, or even further. We need to be absolutely sure that we can raaintiin our reinforcements at the "standard promised, that is, 15 per cent, per month of the original force. This point is being emphasised in every letter that I pet from. the front, and I have tried to impress it upon the people here 11m) an assurance that the forces will la maintained, at least at their strength, for the whole duration of th« war, all gaps being filled by the despatch of regular reinforcement drafts, is more valuable to the commanding officer* thau a sudden increase in the number of men at their disposal, to be followed, perhaps, by a gradual reduction owing •to the wastage of war." The Minister mentioned that lw hail referred to the determination of New Zealand to fill the gaps, in the course of a letter to General Godley soon aftelr the casualty lists began to arrite. General Godley had embodied the following paragraphs from the Minister's letter in a general order issued to the troops:--"We are all very proud of you in NewZealand!, but we are sad, as you will understand,' at the increasing number of casualties. On the Whole, the parents or relatives are extremely plucky and ' brave over it. I hope you will tell the troops so, and let them realise that I have had letter after letter from mother* who say they hope that their wounded sons will soon be well enough to get hack into the fighting line, and dd their duty to their King and country. I think this is one of the most stirring things that has occurred to me, these letters that come in reply to tciejcnviis of sympathy sent from my office. If this kind of. spirit is in the country, and in our people, then surely we have the makings of a great nation. Please tell the men we will fill up every gap, and that we will see them through until victory i 9 ours." "I hear from the south that the French have at last made a good push, and have come up in line with ourselves and . our troops there, so it may be that ,we shall soon hear of the fall of Achl liaba," says General Godley, in the course of a letter dated June 24 to, the Minister for Defence. 'lf this produces all the result that is hoped from it, we may then he in a position to make our pu'.h forward from here. In any case, we all hope that wfc shall not hav,e to wait much longer. It is very dull work being shelled and sniped perpetually in the confined area we now occupy. I am glad to say that the Maoris are coming hew. I had, a communication the other Juy asking for their strenglh, and if they required any special diet. I replied officially, as regards the latter question, that I hoped that during their stay hero there would be sufficient Turks takjn prisoner or killed to go round, which amused Sir lan it reached him. It is still noticeable that there ■ are a "good many people who do not know the difference between Austrsli.mi and New Zealanders, and who think that the Maoris are savages. Tn Mr. Ashmend Bartlett's letters, which you read with such interest, the words "New Zea-* land" or "New Zealandcr" were not onoo used by him from start to finish. Fortunately, before his letter wa9 despatched, it feil into the hands of the Admiral's chief-of-staff, who is a friend of mine, and he inserted the words wherever necessary. Captain Bean, the Australian reporter, lias been very good, and has several times been over to me for information. He has written about our men as well as his own. , Malcolm Ross, I am glad to say, arrived this morning, so now we shall bo quite ell right. He is at present engaged in reading all my,reports up to date.