THE SECOND DIVISION.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 May 1917, Page 4

THE SECOND DIVISION.

The classification of the Second Division Beems to 'be about as fair and' expedient as could -be devised. There are six gradations. tho first comprising men who have no children; the second, men up to 34 with not more than two children; the third, men from 35 to 40 who have not more tlian four ohildren; the fifth, men from 35 to 46, with nob more than four children; and the sixth, men from "20 to 14G, who have more than four children, irrespective of age. The idea seems to be to exempt for as long as possible the men with larger families. This is obviously a- sound principle. If it can be helped, the State will not, of course, call |up the Second Division, but it has to take every precaution and: anticipate the worst occurring. Maybe, the back of tho war will 'be broken before next winter. There seems to be a consensus of opinion at Home, from Sir Douglas Haig downwards, that this very desirable end will be attained by then, providing the Allies continue to work in unison, and th-a armiesi are ibacked up as thov should by the munition workers at Home. At the same time, it is. quite possible the coup de grace will have to bo administered next year, and Britain and America wjll in that event be called upon to Arid the forces with which to do it. France is already feeling her terrible loss of man power; next year, if fighting persists with the same degree of severity as in the -past, she will just about be bled white. General Jofi'ro and the other members of the French Commission in America -are not hiding this cruel fact, nor hesitating to implore America to send men at once to Prance for training behind the lines. Britain, too, will have no men to spare after she has gone through this year, and the colonics must come forward! and help her, perhaps in a greater degree than ever. What Australia or Canada may do in the way of accelerating their reinforcements is unknown, ibut (New Zealand is committed to sending -about 3Q/000? men a year, and whilst the war lasts she has to keep faith with the Old Country and those who ha,ve already gone. The First Division is (likely to find the reinforcements until the end of the present year, even under the stiffer medical test, so that the married' men will not 'bo required until the new year, by which time, it is hoped, the Germans will have been completely crushed, and a new oru of peaceful development begain.