THE REINFORCEMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 37, 7 November 1918, Page 6

THE REINFORCEMENTS

TWO DRAFTS POSTPONED STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER HINTS OF IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS The Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) stated yesterday that the departure of the Forty-fourth and Forty-fifth Keinforcemenls had been postponed. These drafts were due to leave New Zealand shortly, 'but the date of their departure is now indefinite. "We have decided to hold back the two drafts, partly on account of influenza," raid the Minister, '"flis next two transports will not take troops at all. They will leave with full cargoes. I do not want the public to think that this menus the war has coine to an end. We cannot tell how long Germany will hold out, and it must not be ussumed that no more men are going to leave New Zealand."

Later in the day the Minister of Defence 7nade a statement in the subject in the House of Representatives. "Two reinforcements were dne to embark, almost immediately,"-he said. "The medical officers of the Defence Department have reported'that it would bo too risky to embark troops during the prevalence of the type of influenza that now exists in the country and the camps. In these circumstances the next 'wo reinforcements will not embark on their due dates, but will be delayed."

RELEASE OF MEM. SUGGESTIONS TO THE MINISTER. In the House of Representatives yesterday Mr. J. Craigie (Timaru) asked the Minister of Defence whether, in view of the improved war situation, lie would release men from the camps who were used to farm work. ' Mr. Cmigie explained that there was a serious shortage of farm workers at the present time, and it was in view of that circumstance that he had tsked the question. ' "I shall be very glad indeed to release shearers and other farm, workers who are urgently required," replied the Minister. "If tlie hon. gentleman will let the Government .know where (.hearers and other farm workers are urgently required I will do my best to release them." The matter raised by Mir. Crnigie was developed in a subsequent question asked by Mr. AV. A. Veitch (Wanganui). "The Minister has promised that he will relieve every man that can possibly be spared from the camps for shearing and other farming operations," said Mr. Veitch. "In view of the fact that not only are fanning operations seriously hampered, but every industry in the Dominion as well, will the Minister, in view of these conditions, extend his promise and say that every man that can be spared from camp, notwithstanding the industry he is connected with, will be relieved from military duty?"

The Minister replied that where urgent business required attention ho would do his best to let men be released, but bo could not give a. definite promise then. "The whole matter is under consideration now," added the Minister, "and I hope before long to be able to let them all go." (Hear, hean , .) FUTURE REINFORCEMENTS. AN ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED. ' The postponement of the departure of the Forty-fourth and Forty-htth Eeinforcements and certain other indications have given rise to an impression that New Zealand may not be required to send any more reinforcements abroad. In announcing the postponement of the two drafts on account of the prevalence of influenza in the country and the camps, the Minister of Defence staled that the ships that were to have tarried these mon, would be sent away with full cargoes. The supply of shipping available for the transport.-of troops is strictly limited, and the dispatch of these two vessels necessarily sets all reinforcements ■back.

It is stated in Parliamentary circles that the Government'■has already cabled to the Imperial authorities asking if it i« necessary to send any additional men from this country, and that a reply may come to hnnd at any time. The senior draft now in camp cannot reach the firingline until April next a.t earliest. It appears to be taken for granted among well-informed members of the House that no more recruits will be received in the training camps after the small draft ordered for mobilisation this week.

THE MEN IN CAMP, SPEEDY DEMOBILISATION AFTER PEACE DECLARED. Some 12,000 men are in the training camps at the present time, snd it has been suggested that an <\nnouncement of the close of the war in the near future would make the maintenance of discipline difficult. The spirits of the men certainly would run very high, and many of them would be in a lnniry to get home. The Minister of Defence, replying to a question on the subject, <=a.id that the Defence Department would not wish to hold any man a day longer than was necessary. When the final armistice came the men in the training camps would be released as quickly as possible. He felt sure that the men themselves would continue to play the game till tho end. A little delay might be necessary in the interests of the men and of the Department. Records woiijd hnve to be completed, transport provided, and demobilisation arranged. But certainly no attempt would be made to hold any of the men in camp after their release became possible.

"I hope within the next ten days to have an exhibition of standard boots in these buildings," said the Hon. W. D., S. Mac Donald in the House of Representatives last night. The Minister said that the Government had not neglected Hie boot problem, and it had secured expert assistance in the production of standardised boots that could be sold at a reasonable price. But the trouble was that the people did not want cheap, sound, standardised boots, There was plenty of demand for patent leather boots, high-legged boots, and so forth, but tho cheaper sorts of boote were apt to be left on the manufacturers' hands.

A suggestion • that after the close of tlio war the Government should try to .secure a supply of disused motor-lorries for sale to local bodies throughout New Zealand was' made in the House of 3>Spresentatives by Mr. G. V. Pcarce (Paten). The member said that at the present time I'hcre was great demand for motor-lorries of a kind suitable for use by the local bodies, and most of the vehicles that were available were of inferior American types. Mr. JPeairoes question went ou to the Order Paper. Mr. Nosworthy (Ashburton) bus given notice to move; "That it is essential that all questions relating to pensions should bo kept free from party politics, mid that therefore the members of this House hereby pledge themselves individually that they will strenuously discourage tlio use, either directly or indirectly, of any point in connection with tlio granting of pensions as a weapon of party warfare."

There was a littlo sparring about the definition of a "Labour member" in the House yesterday. The Minister of Education moved to sot ap an Education Committee of ten members, and Mr.. J. M'Combs (Ly.'telton) protested that no Labour member was included. He suggested that Mr. P. leaser (Wellington Central) should be added to the committee. The Minister said that many members of the House represented Labour, and he took strong exception to any member claiming .Miat he alono had a right to spink for the workers. He was prepared-to add Mr. J. Payne (Grey Lynn) to the committee. Mr. ll r Holland \Grcy) interjected' "That still leaves the Labour man out." Mr. Payne: "He means a Labour man of a certain type, of course." Mr. Payne was added to the commiitce.

Birmingham is collecting about COO tons of old- tin a year, and selling the recovered tin at £M a ton.