IN NEW ZEALAND. NEW ZEALAND'S QUOTA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8202, 27 July 1915, Page 6

IN NEW ZEALAND. NEW ZEALAND'S QUOTA.

DEPUTATION TO HON. J. ALLEN

DOMINION MUST BE CONTENT WITH PRESENT PROGRESS.

COMPILATION OF NATIONAL REGISTER HINTED AT.

(From Our Wellington Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, July 26

The "more men" agitation may be regarded as ended for the present by the reply the Minister of Defence gave to a large and influential deputation that waited upon him this afternoon for the purpose of urging that New Zealand should extend hei contributions to the armed forces of the Empire. '

The information that Mr Allen placed before the deputation was confidential and the reporters, as well as the gentlemen who had waited upon the Minister, were pledged to secrecy,; but your correspondent (who was among those present at the interview) can say without breach of confidence that the Minister showed beyond any shadow of doubt that the Dominion must be content for the present to send the numbers already arranged for. The Minister's reply contained another point of great importance. Mr Allen stated definitely that the time was approaching when New Zealand would have to follow the example of the Mother Country and Australia, and set about the compilation of a national register of the male population, with the object of ascertaining what men were available for service with the armies and what others can he-used for industrial purposes at home. He did not fix a date for the preparation of the register, but he was clearly of opinion that it could not be delayed very long. There is no misconception in official circles now as to the duration of the war.' The Minister of Defence and his advisers realise clearly that the end of the struggle is not yet in sight, that Germany is not beaten, and that efforts that were scarcely imagined 10 months ago may be required of tho British Dominions before victory for tlu'> Allies is secured.