OUR REINFORCEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1918, Page 4

OUR REINFORCEMENTS.

TO BE MATERIALLY INCREASED DURING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. B AND G CLASSES TO BE CALLED UP.' SINE DIE CASES TO BE REVIEWED, By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter. Wellington, Last Night. "A reply lias come from the Imperial Government with regard to the increase of reinforcements," said Sir James Allen in the House. "As the percentage of reinforcements supplied during the, last few months has not been disclosed, at the express wish of the Imperial Government, I do not think it desirable to say exactly what the increase is. It is asked for only for five months. I hope that at the end of five montlis no further reinforcements will be required. If there are, presumably the percentage will be re< duecd to that existing during the last few months. ✓" "The Tank Battalion is the only new unit that will be created at present, and I do not expect any other new unit' will be created in future.

"We have accepted advice from the army council as to the number of men required to lceep the New Zealand Divi- t sion at full strength. This increase is intended to keep the division at full strength during the time when we may expect more or less severe casualties, owing to the present vigorous fighting. Our ability to send these reinforcements depends entirely upon shipping, and X want to give some indication, though I am liot giving direct figures, what the possibilities are, as far as we can foresee, for the next four or five months. During the months of April, May and June we expect to increase our reinforcements by about 1700 men, all infantrymen. The shipping we can foresee will provide' for extra 1700 men during April, May and June. Then during July, August and September I think we can continue to send a somewhat considerable • number ' than we have been sending. In order to enalsle' this number of men to be provided, we will utilise all the troops at present in camp. We ban expect the immediate transfer fr,om the CI camp of nearly 400 men, with another 300 after in a , fairly short time. The 41st draft will come in earlier, and so will the 42nd and 43rd. I hope the Minister of Railways will be able to give me' men from the Railway ' Department, at a rather earlier period than was expected It will be advisable now to opin to volunteering C class and D class of the Second Division (married men with two children and three children).A member: Why not open it for all classes? -

Sir James Allen: I think C and D classed will be sufficient at present. It certainly will be sufficient as far as our shipping is concerned. With iWd to propose to ballot to-morrow foi 10,000 men. The class contains between 18,000 and 19,000 men, and we propose to draw- more than half of them at this ballot. We expect to procure enough men by this means to fill all the shipping we know of up to August or September It may be possible to secure some further shipping. If we secure more ships we' may- be able to send a few more- men away.

If more men are required it mav be neoessnry to consider the sine die cases still further. (Hear, hear.) These cases been tinder review recently, and some 840 of them have been ordered into camp ihere are between 6000 and 7000 sine die cases. Most of the men are engaged m essential industries. 1 propose 1 to bring before Cabinet the question of ' the reconsideration of sine die eases, and ask what is their wish regarding combing out. Yve propose to review the cases of. reservists who have been granted leave for certain periods. Most of the First ?. 2 . fen ' lave been re-examined. I do not think that it is advisable to reexamine any of those who have been furboear/ eJ the Sp6Ciftl me<lical board A great many of the C2 men have been sent into the CI camp. In the case of the Second Division men the medical examination is stricter, and I hope it will not be necessary to review any of the C2 eases of the Second Division.