THE REINFORCEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 163, 8 July 1918, Page 4

THE REINFORCEMENTS

THIS MONTH'S BALLOT

The announcement that the number of men to lie drawn in this month s ballot is 5000, hal f the " nuinber -drawn last month, makes it clear that the reservists- now remaining' in G, Second l Division will be suffifcient for the July, August, and- September draws savs the Dominion. The recruiting authorities' called 10,000 Class 13 reservists in May, and 10,000 Class B reservists in June. These numbers were supplemented by accretions to the First Division, arid Class A of the Second- Division, and the total number of men called for service in April, May, and June was in the neighbourhood of 30,000. • It is considered now that the increased demand for recruits caused by th e enlargement of the reinforcements' in April, after the beginning of the great German offensive, Ims born overtaken. Very many of the fit men among the 30,000 have not yet becomo available for" concentration in caijrp, j but the lists' for future drafts are in good condition and a flow of "recruits I for many months ahead has been assured. The August and September drafts, as already stated, are; pr'acticI ally full. I The number of men at present re- ' maining * in Class 'C' is' about 16,000. Tliere is reason to be.licve that in spite of., many reminders some of -these men have omitted- to inform .the Government -Statistician of changes of address and additions: to families;.' They will save themselves- and the recruiting authorities trouble if they do their duty now by making sure that the Government Statistician lias the correct address and the proper classification. The roll of the Second Division can be consulted at any post office.

| 'Phe first call- on Class D (men with i three children)' may not be niad'e before November. The arrangements depend largely on shipping arid" casnal- ' ties. The New Zealand Division has , suffered very light casualties so far tin's year, but there is much heavy fighting still to be done?, and though •the reserves arc large they ire not inexhaustible. i•" "

INDIA/ | TM PF N'DING INCfiEA'Sfc OF THE I ARMY. I lAustralian and N T .Z. Cable Association.} SIMLA, July 6. The Indian Government announces an impending very large increase in the strength of the Indian Army, the new recruiting for which will include a large additional number of British officers and subordinates drawn fl'om Europeans of military age. CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LQjsIDO'K, J ulv .5. The Committee of Iridian* Constitutional Reforms imports in favour of the bifurcation of the Vice Regal Le K^ la d ture. the second chamber to the called the Council of State; the creation of an Indian Privy Council, and a Council of r The CS Cx>mmittee also favours increased responsibility of the leg^ turn, to which representatives daectly elected should be sent. The Franchise should be as broad as possible. MOVEMENT SELF-GOVERN REPORT OF, committee. (Australian and If. 2. CabWAssociation.)

(Rec. July 8, 8.40 a m.) July 6. The report of the Committee of Indian Constitutional Reform is a bulky document, l.t contains bascd oh investigations occupying neailj hall a. year. amT the. out of the War Cabinets pledge to take.stibst; ant-i-l stcnis in the direction °> V' 10 gradual development ofselLgovammg institutions in View of the prV®*" ® realisation of the responsible o°v°inmcnt of India as an integral part ot th It out that the report when published will afford a basis for discussion and criticism. .The Gov<nnment has not yet formulated its conclusions on the proposals. Thr. report candidly surveys t?i* difficulties of the problem 'arid pays a tribute to the Indian peoples hearty and genuine sympathy in the Allies cause. It states that our own and' the American declaration of _ war aims give a new force of vitality to Progressivists' demand for self-govern-ment,' devolution to take the form pi oiivfincr responsibility to certain subjects and' affording more opportunity for local knowledge and eocjal service. It is therefore proposed that the' executive government in all tihe major provinces, but exclusive of * Burma, shall consist 'of two parts —one comprising a Government and executive council of two members, one of "whom shall be an Indian; the other cbm

prising a government with one or more ministers chosen from elected m' mbora nf the legislative council of each province-. The elected memb. rs should be* chosen on a broad franchise.

It is possible contributions for the maintenance of the All-Indian services will be- a first charge on provincial revenues. Provincial governments will v administer the remaining revenues and I wall have also liirfHed .powers in 'regard to taxation and: borrowing. r I What has hith rto beert known as the Legislature, will be hifurCat,ed. The existing Council \vill;becometJhe legislative assembly and wiJl- consist of about'. a.."."'hundred "' membersr—twothirds of whom will be elected and the remainder- nominated by the viceroy. A third' of these nominee* must be non-official.

The second chamber will be a council of State with' the -experience and dignity of -Elder and .wallparticipate in the ordinary legislative business and be the final authority on matters which the government regards as essential. It will consist of fifty members of whom twenty-one will be, elected. " ' ' " . "

Othc-T proposals include establishing a permanent Council of PrinceS to 'consider questions affecting native states, the" appointment "of a Commission a decade hence to survey the situation and judge what- further devolution k possible; and other similar commissions subsequently at twelve-year intervals. : . ' ■