WAR MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1917, Page 5

WAR MATTERS.

POLICY SPEECH BT? SIR JAMES ATJJSN. 1 THE QUESTION OF REINFORCEMENTS. ALLOWANCES AND PENSIONS. Wellington, Last Night. On the House resuming at 7.30 p.m., the Hon. Sir James Allen continued the debate on the Address-in-Reply. He opened by paying a compliment to ii> Second Division members, of -which he said lie desired no apologies on their behalf. He was unable to sav when the Second Division would be called out, but he thought the First Division would last at least two reinforcements yet. Before they were exhausted the Department intended to .institute a uniform oombingout policy, from which he expected to procure several reinforcements, so that the Second Division may not be called for four or Ave months yet. When that is done it may be necessary to review the standard of pensions and allowances to the Second Division. There was a differential rate of pensions in Britain, and it was for us to say whether in this democratic country we would have a differential rate between the rich and poor man. He thought the country would,rather raise the pension to the'need of the poorest man, but that question would have to be settled by Parliament when the time arrives.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. , He described the work of the board set up to render financial assistance to the soldiers, of which complaint had been made as to its being too tardy in its decisions. This lie defended, on the grounds that in the early stages the board had great difficulties to contend with, owing to the paucity of information, but all cases were now well in hand. The arrears were being completely wiped out. 1641 applications lint' been .granted, 342 dismissed or withdrawn. On the subject of pensions, he claimed that our provision for pensions was higher in proportion to the population than either Australia or Britain. He disproved of the criticism that the board, had been niggardly in dealing With claims. Proceeding, he defended the practice of granting commissions in New Zealand as against men in the field, contending that the practice was in accordance with the wishes of the generals commanding at the front. From the point of view of the health of the troops, he said the position was not satisfactory bo far as disease was concerned, and he warned Parliament it would have to face facts and do something and do it this session.

OUR REINFORCEMENTS He warmly combated the contention that reinforcements should be limited. So I6ng as we have the main bodies at the front we would have to maintain them at full strength by reinforcements as necessities require. He'had given the men at the front that pledge, and he never ivoijld recede from tjiat position. It had been said we were sending top many reinforcements. That was not so. We were only keeping up the necessary percentages. He hoped to bo soon informed by the Home authorities that the percentage could*be reduced. Up to date we had sent away and have in training 86,402 men and nurses. Amongst these were our Maori and Island troops. These men had not asked to have reinforcements reduced, and i'» the face of their courage and patriotism what whito man could refuse to go to the aid of this country ? • He passed a eulogism upon the tun'nellera and wireloss men, who had gone from New Zealand, and who were doing magnificent work on the West front and in Mesopotamia. 10,547 men had returned siclc and wounded. Under the splendid treatment received 1238 of these had recovered sufficiently to go back to the front.

THE CASUALTIES. "After such a splendid example of heroism, is there," he asked, "a Second Division man who would not gladly go and relieve one of these men?" He regretted the casualties were verv l"gh in the recent offensive. There had been 20,000 casualties. 7500, he regretted to say, would never see New Zealand again. He did not know when the war would end. He hoped this year. If not, he reminded the House that the spirit of the men buried in France, Gallipoli and elsewhere would call on us to support the cause in which they died. Ho felt confident no Second Division man would refuse to answer that call. He explained that the additional brigado recently formed from accumulated reinforcements was formed not at the desire of the Government, but at the request of the Imperial authorities, Thos» men were required for a special mission. Such a request the Government could not refuse. It had been said that now that America had come into the war,- New Zealand should pull out. He repudiated such a notion. New Zealand must be in at the finish, and ho would not have the world say, if he could prevent it, that we grew weary or faint-hearted in fighting on gloriously for the Empire, and for the cause of humanity.

A MEMBER'S CRITICISM. Mr. Poole desQribed the Minister's speech as a strong, definite statement of policy, containing many concessions which were being asked for from one end of the Dominion to the other.' Ha hoped it never would be %r/<{ of any Government in this country that ( they failed to make adequate provision for the men who risked their lives and limbs .at the front. Discussing the title of the Gov-ernor-General, referred to in the speech, he said Ministers had not taken the House into their confidence, but it made the significant suggestion to him that after the war there were to be certain annexations in the Pacific, and New Zealand would probably find herself mistress amongst a number of islands, such as Samoa, [Fiji and others. Coming to local matters, he ("eclared the National Cabinet had not faced its obligations in the matter of the cost of living. Strong measures must be taken, and the Government must take them while the walls of our freezing works were-bursting with meat. If the Government did not see the people got cheap meat, then they were denying the means of cheap living to people in this crisis, and while people were making great sacrifices they deserved something better than to have ] to pay Is 8d per pound for butter. Ho pictured the farmer looking on with j bulging eyes at the way the, price of but- i ter was rising higher and higher, yet this people had the audacity to clamour fori the repeal of the butterfat tax, and ac-1 tually demanded it to be repaid out of ! the "ConsoWated J?und. Nothing but I thq redraatkm gf Qw cost of living would