IN NEW ZEALAND. THE REINFORCEMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8216, 13 August 1915, Page 6

IN NEW ZEALAND.

THE REINFORCEMENTS.

GENERAL GODLEY'S CABLEGRAM. DEFENCE MINISTER EXPLAINS. .'. .WELLINGTON, August 12. "We shall be very glad to have the two new battalions," says General Ciodley, in a cablegram to the Defence Minster, "provided tliey do not interfere wix-h the reinforcements for the forces now existing and at this moment fighting most gallantly and desperately." The Minister, referring to this matter yesterday, said that General Godley's cablegram emphasised the point he himself had endeavoured to make, j that the first duty of the Dominion was j to maintain the reinforcements for tho forces already in the field. A heavy j demand was going to be made upon j the men of the country during the aext few months in order to maintain the reinforcement drafts, while at the same time providing- tho two extra battalions, but he had no doubt at all that tho recruits would be forthcoming. ilf recruiting had to be stimulated by some platform work by the public, then the necessary measures would be taken, but he hoped the people di tho Dominion roalised the importance of the matter sufficiently not to require urging when tho line of ; duty was clear. : "A steady stream of registrationl is what we require," added the Minister. NSome people, including some of, .the men at the front, have an idea that all the able-bodied men should bee sent away at once, but what the military authorities want is an assurance that gaps will bo filled and the fighting forces kept up to strength. The Sixth will be on the water soon, on October 7, and the two battalions forming the Trentham Regiment will go. I hope that by the time they get to the front ire shall have won Gallipoli and our men on the way to Constantinople."