NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. RETURN RE MAINTAINING REINPORCEMENTS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1917 Session I, H-19h

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1917 NEW ZEALAND

NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. RETURN RE MAINTAINING REINPORCEMENTS.

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated Thursday, the 19th July, 1917. Ordered, "That there be laid before this House a return showing, — (1.) The number of men tho Government has promised the Imperial authorities on behalf of New Zealand, comprising (a) the strength of main bodies to be maintained in all fields; (b) the number of men for each reinforcement. (2.) The limit, if any, to be placed on the total number of men to bo scut from New Zealand (3.) The number of men drawn in the ballots up to the _'Jth Reinforcements, comprising (a) the total number of balloted men reported in camp; (6) the total number of voluntary recruits reported in camp since the commencement of balloting ; (c) tho total number of men classed as medically unfit ; (d) the total number classed as lit for home service only ; (c) the total number exempted as being connected with essential industries; (/) the total number of clergy, lay preaohers, and conscientious objectors exempted ; (g) the total number who have received exemption on grounds other than those mentioned above; (h) the total number of men who have been passed as fit, but have not reported in camp; (i) the total number of men who have failed to respond in any way to notification."—(Mr. WILFOBD.)

Return re Maintaining Reinforcements.

(1.) (a.) Strength of main bodies to be maintained in all fields :— | Officers. Other Ranks. Total. New Zealand Mounted Rifle Brigade and concomitant units 113 2,263 New Zealand Division and concomitant units ... ... 700 20,111 New Zealand Wireless Signal Troop ... ... ... 1 55 2,376 20,811 56 Total ... ... ... ... 814 22,429 23,243 (b.) The number of men lor each reinforcement:— i Officers, j Other Ranks, j Total, Mounted Rifles ... ... ... ... ... 3 122 Field Artillery ... ... ... ... ... 2 107 Field Engineers ... ... ... ... ... 1* 19 Engineer Tunnelling Company... ... ... ... ... 31 Divisional Signal Service ... ... ... ... ... 6 Infantry ... ... ... ... ... ... 31 1,480 Army Service Corps ... ... ... ... ... 1 22 New Zealand Medical Corps ... ... ... ... 5 39 Veterinary Corps ... ... .. ... ... ... 1 Army Pay Department ... ... ... ... ... 4 New Zealand Postal Corps ... .... ... ... ... 2 Chaplains I ... New Zealand Wireless Signal Troop ... ... ... ... 11 125 109 20 31 6 1,511 23 44 1 4 2 11 Total ... ... ... ... 43 1,844 1,887 * Sent with eaoh alternate draft. t Despatched as required.

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(2.) There has been no limit placed on the number of men to be sent from New Zealand as reinforcements. The New Zealand Government undertook to maintain reinforcements for the establishments as given in (1) above for the duration of the war. (3.) Number of men drawn in the ballots up to the 29th Reinforcements, 25,924: (a) Total number of balloted men reported in camp, 7,777 ; (b) total number of voluntary recruits reported in camp, 10,292; (c) total number classed as unfit, 11,702; (d) total number classed as fit for home service only, 10,106; (c) total number exempted as being connected with essential industries, 2,078; (/) total number of clergy, lay preachers, and conscientious objectors exempted, 62; (g) total number exempted on other grounds, 311; (h) total number passed fit, but not reported in camp, 365 ; (i) total number who have failed to respond to notification, 1,613. In regard to («), (/), and (g) no absolute exemptions have been granted except on the ground that the appellants were not Reservists, the figures given representing the number that have been temporarily exempted, and most of these cases are now being reviewed. The figures against (/.) and (/) are subject to slight alteration on completion of accurate check, which is now being carried out.

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