DOMINION'S PART.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1916, Page 5

DOMINION'S PART.

REPLY TO LONDON TIMES. CONSCRIPTION NOT YET NECESSARY. IZIE CASE OP DESERTION. Wellington, Last Nigiu. Ihe Hon. J, Allen, commenting on the turadon Times' reference to conscription in New Zealand, said that he looked upon the article as designed for political purposes. We ; bave not" conscripted a single man in New Zealand. There were four reinforcement drafts in camp under training, .and two more were fully ready to be called up, all being under the voluntary system. We were thus fully able to meet all obligations in maintaining the strength of our forces oversea. It was ridiculous to suggest that New Zealand was not doing as well under the voluntary system is any other part of the Empire. Mr. Allen also pointed out that while Hew Zealand had been thus meeting Imperial obligations in the matter of men, our territorial system of training bed been kept going fully and efficiently. Regarding, the case of the deserter !who is supposed to have come from the Carterton district, the Government did not feel in publishing the man's name, pending the receipt of details from Home, which, had been asked for. Steps .were being, taken, hewever, to deal with {the mattes 43 won, as the information sas available.