WAR MATTERS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 11 July 1917, Page 5

WAR MATTERS.

IMPORTANT SPEECHES IN THE HOUSE.

AGAINST LIMITATION OF REIN FORCEM.Z?n TS.

During the course of the Address-in-Reply debate yesterday some important speeches were made on the question of man supply. SIR JAMES ALLEN. The Defence Minister opened by paying a compliment to the Second Division members, of whicli he saitl he desired no apologies on their behalf. He was unable to say when the Second Division would Le called out, but he thought the First Division would last at least two reinforcements yet. Before they were exhausted the Department intended to institute a uniiorm combing-out policy, from which he expected to procure several reinforcements, so that the Second Division may not be called for four or five months yet. When that is done it may oe necessary to review the standard of pensions and allowances to the Second Division. There was a differential rate of pensions in Britain, and it was for us to say whether in tHis democratic country we would have a differential rate between the rich and poor man. He thought the country would rather raise the pension to the need of the poorest man, but that question would have to be settled by Parliament when the time arrives. He described the work of the Board set up to render financial assistance to the soldiers, of which complaint had been made as to j its being tardy in its decision. This he defended, on the grounds that in the early stages the Board had great difficulties to contend with, owing to the paucity of information, but all cases were now well in hand. The arrears were being completely wiped out; 1641 applications had been granted, 342 dismissed or withdrawn. On the subject of pensions, he claimed that our provision for pensions was higher in proportion to the population than either Australia or Britain. He disproved of the criticism that the Board ; had been niggardly in dealing with claims. |

Proceeding, he defended the practice of granting commission's in New Zealand ac against men in the field, contending that the practice was in accordance with the wishes of the generals commanding at the front. From the point of view of the health of the troops, he said the position was not satisfactory so far as disease was concerned, and he warned Parliament it would have to face facts and do something and do it this session. He warmly combated the contention that reinforcements should be limited. So long as we have the main bodies at the front we would have to maintain them at full strength by reinforcements a« necessities require. He had given the men at the front that pledge, and he would never recede from that position. It had been said we were sending too many reinforcements. That was not

so. We were only keeping; up the necessary percentages. He hoped to lie soon informed by the Home authorities thai the percentage could be reduced. Up to date we had sent away and have in training 86,402 men and nurses. Amongst these were our Maori and Island troops. These men had not asked to have reinforcements reduced, and in the face of their cotirage and patriotism what white man could refuse to go to the aid of this country? He passed a eulogium upon the tunnellers and wireless men who had gone from New Zealand, and who were doing magnificent work on the West front and in Mesopotamia. Ten thousand five hundred and forty-seven men hud returned sick and wounded. Under the splendid treatment received 1238 of tnese had recovered sufficiently to go back to the front.

"After such a «plendid example of heroism is there," he asked, "a Second Division man who would not gladly go and relieve one of these men?" He regretted the casualties were very high in the recent offensive. There had been 26,000 casualties; 7500, he regretted to say, would never see New Zealand again. He did not know when the war would end. He hoped this year. If not, he reminded the House that the- spirit of the men buried in France, Gallipoli and elsewhere would call on us to support the cause in which they died. He felt confident no Second Division man would refuse to answer that call.

He explained that the additional brigade recently formed from accumulated reinforcements was formed not at the ,desire of the Government, but at the request of the Imperial authorities. Those men were required for a special mission. Such a request the Government could not refuse. It had been said that now that America had come into the war, New Zealand should puTl out. He repudiated such a notion. New Zealand must be in at the finish, and he would not have the world say, if he could prevent it, that we grew weary or faint-hearted in fighting on gloriously for the Empire, and for the cause of humanity.

OTHER MEMBERS' SPEECHES

Mr Poole described the Minister's speech as a strong, definite statement of policy, containing many concessions which were being asked for from one end of the Dominion to the other. He hoped it never would be said of any Government in this country that they failed to make adequate provision for the men who risked their lives and limbs at the front.

Dr Newman, with characteristic outspokenness, contended that though it was quite right for New Zealand to send large numbers of men at the beginning of the war, when the Empire was in jeopardy and everyone thought the war would be short and sharp, the position was quite different now. The war had been already going on for three years, and none could say whether it would not go on for another | two or three years. Up to the present we had put about 85,000 men, the pick of New Zealand, into the war, and he was going to ask the House whether we had not very nearly reached the limit. New Zealand could not go on producing, men and conJ tinue producing food as she was now. "I am satisfied in my own mind," declared Dr Newman," "that we have sent nearly enough men to the front, and that our duty is to produce more food. Originally we .sent 8000 men, and then sent the Liverpool Regiments, and other thousands were sent —in fact, so many in excess were sent that at one time we had 4500 men stacked up at Salisbury. They did not know what to do with them." Members: You m-e under the mark. Dr Newman- "Well, anyway, they formed them into a special brigade and sent them to the front. T say now t^nt we ought to seriously slacken off."

Dr Newman went on to say that ne could not see It is way to vote for sendin.fi manioc! men. especially those who bad to p-ty ofi' moitiracros on houses or furniture, to r>av insurance and support one or two children, which it was obviously impossib'e to do on military pay unless something were done to asv'st them.

A non-committal attitude was taken b'- Mr J. C. Thomson, who remarked: "T ani not go'iur +o say v.heT;~ei- ny not more men should be sent when the

Commonwealth is just considering the question of whether conscription shall be introduced, and when owino- to racial reasons there are difficulties in Canada. I think New Zealanders should withhold any expression, trusting that the Government will do whatever is right."