LACK OF SHIPS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16218, 22 May 1918, Page 6

LACK OF SHIPS.

DESPATCH OF REINFORCEMENTS AFFECTED.

(SPECIAL TO ''TITF. TRESS.")

WELLINGTON, May 21

Sir James Allen said to-day thatj owing to the lack of sufficient shipping it might not be possible for New Zealand to fulfil completely its undertaking to the Imperial Government in th® matter of the despatch of additional reinforcements up to tho month of August. Tho Dominion's quota would, however be nearly equal to the commitment. Sir James Allen said, also, thaj h e anticipated that after August tho rat© 08 reinforcement would revort to that ia force before the urgent appeal for more men eamo from tho Imperial Government. which made a temporary increase in the rate of despatch part of th t > policy of the New Zealand Government .

This announcement has not boon tm« expected nmon c thoso in tpuch "with; recruiting and embarkation work. It is not expected that thcro will bo sufficient shipping available to carrv lnim> numbers of men from New Zealand a the later months of this year, nor do«i there seem to he any lmrrv about getting men into camp early. All tlio moa who are now brim; medically examined are boms: given leave until the September draft is mobilised. None of th® second lot of the Class B men can no into camp before this dato, and m<«tj of them may bo a month or two months later. If the old rate is to bo reverted to, lists of 10,000 balloted moa will not bo necessary ovcrv month. The question has been discussed bV the Department, however, as to whether jt will not be a wise policy to call un the married men as soon as thev can be conveniently dealt with, and 'to liaro them inodieallv examined. It may bo therefore, that for some time medical .examinations will lie in oxcoss of recruiting requirements.