URGENT CALL FOR MEN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 245, 4 July 1918, Page 5

URGENT CALL FOR MEN

A STARTLING STATEMENT

CRITICAL DAYS IN SEPTEMBER

London, July 2. On a motion for tho adjournment of tho debate on tho combing out of agriculturists, Mr, It, E. Pr'othero, President of the Board of Agriculture, simplifying his earlier answers, snid ,ho believed wo would not loso much of the harvest owing to shortage. At any rate, it would bo necessary to take the 30,000 men ulready called up, though other agriculturists vould only l>s taken after the harvest. Tho men combed out wero only i per cent, of the total number employed on the liiml. When the German prisoners were added, there was moro labour for igricultnre than in November, 1916. Mr. Prothorn.startled 'Jig House by saying that tho men taken now would bo in tho firing line by tho middle of September, which might be the most critical moment. Several speakers hotly denounced the men being given only threo months' training. Mr. Bonar Law said most men were given threo months' training. «t Home, though some wero sent to Prance after ten weeks. The principle was to dive now troops nt least another month's training in- Prance. No lads of 18 wore sent to the firing line until they had had at least four months' training. Jlr. Bonar Law continued: "Don't think we are in tho last ditch. But the wholo of the German strategy is based on an. attempt to wear out. our reserves. It is the Government's duty to make certain that we will not suffer such a defeat as will render tho IPIB campaign useless."

The motion, for the adjournment was negatived,—Ans.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.