NEW ZEALAND'S FIGHTING FORCES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3158, 9 August 1917, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND'S FIGHTING FORCES

Much doubt and uncertainty has been removed as the result uf tho information supplied to the House of Representatives by tho Minister of Defence on Tuesday evening regarding tho position of the forces New Zealand has sent and is still sending. _to tho fighting lines. Speculation, as to the need for maintaining our present rate of reinforcement must now give way to definite knowledge of the situation, and that fuller knowledge and clearer understanding should serve to strengthen our determination to oarry on to the full measure required of us. The fact that it will be possible shortly to reduce slightly the sizo of our reinforcement drafts without imposing unnecessary strain on the men already at tho front does not come as a surprise. It was known that our reinforcements had been accumulating overseas, _ but until an authoritative opinion on the question of reducing the monthly drafts had been obtained- it would have been unwise to tako any step which might bo liable to create a wrong impression and lead to a slackening of effort. Now that that authoritative- opinion has been given by the British War Office, it is being acted on as promptly as circumstances will permit by the Government here. Sir James Allen stated tho position very fully and clearly. The Government throughout has been guided.by the recommendations of the Imperial authorities as to the strength of tho reinforcement drafts required to meet the wastage in our main force, and tho fact that we have accumulated substantial reserves in Eng r land may bo regarded as a reason for congratulation. First of all, it is gratifying that the wastage in our force has not been as high as was anticipated, and furthermore- it must be extremely pleasing to overyone to learn that the position is sufficiently secure to onaljle the greater part of _ the. members of tho Main Expeditionary Force to be given a well-earned rest. Tho opinion has been widely held for some timo past that the members of the Main Expeditionary Force who saw service ia tho desperate struggle on Gallipoli and who have been since practically continuously on service in France or in Egypt and Syria, were entitled to a long spell of rest • and that, if possiblo, they should have that rest in New Zealand among their own people. Tho difficulties in tho way appeared so great that tho opinion was more- widely held than expressed. Now that it has been found possiblo to give tho majority of tho men who left with tho Main Body a trip back to New Zealand and two months holiday leave here, tho necessity for maintaining our reinforcement drafts will perhaps bo moro fully appreciated. But for the fact that our position in the matter of reserves is so satisfactory theso men who have been for' so long undergoing tho terrible strain of the war could not have been granted tho respite they so urgently need and which they have bo handsomely earned.