THE ANZAC SPIRIT

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 1, 26 September 1939, Page 6

THE ANZAC SPIRIT

In the Daventry news bulletin from London yesterday grateful acknowledgments were expressed at the response in New Zealand and Australia to the call for men for war service, and reference was made to a fully-equipped division from this Dominion. It will be recalled that in the Great War the military fortunes of the two sister Dominions were linked together in an association later to become famous under the name of “Anzac” (the initial letters of the unit known as the Australian aftd New Zealand Army Corps). Whether this association will be revived in the present war is a question which must be determined by the course of events. In the meantime, it is the spirit of service born of the Anzac tradition that matters.

During the Great War New Zealand mobilized for active service at home and abroad a grand total of 124,200, of whom nearly 92,000 were volunteers. The total called up for foreign service was 117,175, and of this number actually 100,400 went overseas. Included in the ■aggregate were 550 nurses. Apart from these, over 2000 New Zealanders joined the Australian forces, and 1200 enlisted with British units. Fully 11 per cent, of the total population was actually mobilized, and between 9 and 10 per cent, went overseas. Australia’s aggregate enlistments reached the approximate figure of 417,000, nearly 332,000 of this number being sent overseas. At the time of the Armistice the approximate numbers of men actually under arms on the fighting fronts was 185,000 Australians and 90,000 New Zealanders. The demands for man-power in the Great War were tremendous. It is comparatively easy to raise a first division. The problem thereafter is to keep it replenished and maintained at full strength. The first call for volunteers for service in the special force being raised “for service in or beyond New Zealand” has resulted in a response of 13,078 enlistments up to Saturday last. Of this total 10,015 have been medically examined, 5968 have been passed as fit, 2758 as temporarily unfit (most on account of remediable dental defects), and 1289 as permanently unfit. The strength of the first quota of 6600 men called for is now practically complete, and they are to go into training almost immediately. The foregoing figures show, however, that active recruiting will have to be steadily and energetically carried on in order that the required strength may be maintained. During the last war there was a “wastage” of over 11,000 during the period of training alone. A division consists of 20,000 men, including ancillary services. If a call comes'from overseas this country cannot send less. In Australia the Federal Government has decided to call for volunteers for a division of 20,000 for service at home or abroad, and also to call up the whole of the militia force of 80,000, in two drafts of 40,000 each, for a month’s continuous training. The position is to be reviewed in two months’ time, and, if circumstances demand it, further training, or an expansion of strength, will be decided upon, bor the special force preference is to be given, said the Federal Prime Minister in a broadcast, “to single men who are not occupied in essential civil jobs.” At present (added Mr. Menzies) the prime necessity is to ensure the defence of Australia. But it would be wrong to assume that throughout' the duration of the war our duty would continue to be as circumscribed as that. The international position will have to be watched closely from day to day; we are in touch wit it the British Government from day to day. It may be that, under some circumstances, Australian forces might be used to garrison some of the Pacific islands, to co-operate with New Zealand, to relieve British troops at Singapore or at other posts around the Indian Ocean. In other circumstances it might be practicable to send Australian forces to Europe.

The New Zealand Government’s arrangements presumably are based on a similar appreciation of the situation. According to the ActingPrime Minister, Mr. Fraser, commenting on the Davcntry message, the arrangements in this country “arc such as will enable a division to be made available in due course.” As a division normally consists of 20,000 of all ranks, including ancillary services, a steady flow of recruits will be necessary to ensure not only that the minimum divisional strength will be available but adequate replenishments also. In the true spirit of the Anzac tradition: New Zealand should be ready and equipped for whatever duty she may be called upon to do.