REDUCTION OF REINFORCEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1918, Page 8

REDUCTION OF REINFORCEMENTS.

(Special Correspondent.)' Wellington, July 16. The Minister of Defence made his promised statement regarding the reduction of reinforcements to-day. The reinforcement quota is to he lowered to the level existing before the increase of April last, and the change will take effect at once as far as the despatch of troops is concerned. But, as anticipated, there will be no interference with men already posted to drafts. The July, August, and September reinforcements are to enter camp at the strength already arranged. This is considered to be necessary in order to maintain the troops in training at the required strength. The August and September drafts contain at present nearly 1400 men each. Ko additional men will he taken for these drafts. The October draft has between ,100 and 400 men now. It is expected to he filled before the examination of the men drawn in the July ballot, taken to-day, is commenced. A substantial number of B and O meic, including many unsuccessful appellants, will hj« carried forward to the November draft and later dra>fts. The reduction of the quota makes it practically certain that none of the Class D men (three children) will be wanted in camp before .March. The recruiting I anthorities are not in a position to make any definite announcement on this point, sine* the supply of stepping and other factors cannot be ganged exactly. The Minister of Defence stated to-day that the reinforcement quota might require to he raised again if there were heavy Xcw Zealand casualties during tne next few months. The casualties would have to be exceptionally severe to make a variation necessary. At the present time New Zealand reinforcements form three entrenching battalions, in addition to (he normal reserves and to troops in training in 'England and on route from New Zealand. The wastage of heavy fighting would be replaced without male ing call for extra men from New Zealand.