STOP PRESS NEWS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8273, 19 October 1915, Page 4

STOP PRESS NEWS

late new zealand : news. DEFENCE MINISTER INTERVIEWED. TALK ON AULIT.-UIY'MATTEUS-:.-NEW ZEAL-ANDERS' EXPLOITS AN INSPIRATION. ■ DUNEMN, October 19. Interviewed by a " Star " representative, the Ton. .1 times Allen said if every man realised the splendid achievements of Now Zealand's soldiers at Galiipoli during the past seven months he (the Minister) felt confident oi' the future as regards the Dominion's determination to honour its pledge to the Mother Country. (, "Our army has pr.oved its mettle in most arduous circumstances," said Mr Alien, -".and" its. .record should be an inspiration to every man to mea-:- ; sure his duty .-with conscientious >'v thoroughness and perform it with-, cheerful willingness. ■ , "The system of raising, equipping, and training men has proved vso successful so .far that I. think every possible effort should bo made to maintain it at the required effectiveness. We have sent 28,000 men to the front, all thoroughly equipped and efficiently trained, and there has not been a single break in the prescribed supply of reinforcements at regular periods,, and there are 12,000 men in training. Our past record has been in every way' splendid, and it can be maintained if the people realise the necessity for accepting . their, great duty to the Empire. " What is required is consistent and persistent recruiting in order to ensure an adequate supply of men for reinforcements, so that the splendid work of. the Expeditionary Force may be maintained at the- highest standard of effectiveness. That is our common aim." ' ' •'■■■.... The Minister said ho does not consider it practicable to establish local training, camps. "It would," he said, "be impossible to achieve the same measure of efficiency which has marked the, training of our soldiers at Treotham. Tim" training staff has beeu working ■ throughout at the highest point of pressure, as the supply or experienced officers'for training purposes is limited. The incentive to_ recruit- . ing provided by a largo training camp must be substituted in a different form. Tin? Imperial authorities ■ have been asked to lend New Zealand seven or nine experienced Army, officers who, althotigh incapacitated for active service, will bo able to assist in training recruits. An encouraging reply ba's been received, and' there is a good ' prospect '.of,: several .military instructors coming, to New Zealand. 7 " The appointment of the staff officers for the New Zealand Rifle Brigade is. not. yet finally determined, :.. but it is almost certain that Colonel ,V. S. Smyth, A.D.C., formerly 0.0. Otago. and later the Canterbury, ! military district, will be given o high command, and will go to the front with the brigade. Colonel Smytb arrived. ■■ at -from London, > yesterday. ";. I ' " The special Tunnelling Company | now training at Auckland is far above I the prescribed strength. It will leave I for the Old Country in about six weeks, with no fewer than about five > months' reinforcements over it* strength. This means that men for reinforcements for this company will not be required for five months. The hew company will ho attached to the Royal Engineers in an honourable position, and will probably sorvn in Europe."