STRENGTH OF REINFORCEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1918, Page 6

STRENGTH OF REINFORCEMENTS.

REDUCTION UKELY IN OCTOBER. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, July 8. Sir James Allen expected to be able to make a statement regarding reinforcements before leaving for Auckland on Saturday. It is expected that be will be able to announce a reduction of reinforcements commencing in October Reinforcements have continued to get away from New Zealand fairly rapidly lately, in spite of the shortage of shipping. Every opportunity of sending men forward h* been taken; in view of the anticipated German effort to force a decision on the West front this year, and it is likely that the men at present under orders for the July, August, and September drafts will be "required to refill the training camps. The reduction, when it takes placeT will be a substantial one. The new quota will be the minimum required to maintain the New Zealand Division and other units under winter conditions, when casualties may be expected to be low. If the quota can be reduced to the level observed in the early months of this year, the Second Division, with the normal accretions from the First Division, will supply reinforcements for the next twelve months. Beyond that it is unnecessary yet to make plans. The the war into 1920 would necessitate the re-examination of returned discharged soldiers, who at present are not members of the reserve.