ABOUT 115,000 MEN MOBILISED.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 167, 12 July 1918, Page 6

ABOUT 115,000 MEN MOBILISED.

ADEQUATE RESERVES IN HAND. As reported in these columns y esterfay, the Minister of Defence (Sir Jas. Allen) stated at CHellensville on Tueslay that New Zealand had sent away 15,000 soldiers, and. that 22,000 had eturned. These figures are approximate, and they do not take count of the men at present in training at the military camps. The total number, of ;oldiers raised 'by Jsew Zealand since the outbreak of war considerably . ex needed 100,000. The figures quoted by. the Minister, says the Dominion, show why it is possible for the New Zealand Governnent to decide upon a reduction of the reinforcement quota .at a. time when nwh of this year's fighting probably still has to be done. If the returned men and the dead are deducted from jhn total number of men sent away ind certain other necessary allowance.*' ire made, it will be found that there ire roughly 60,000 men at present" •ibroad. The nominal strength of the Mew Zealand Division, the Mounted Brigade, and the other unite that require reinforcements, according- to a statement made by the Minister of Defence, is in the . neighbourhood of 13,500. The number of men sick and. on leave day by day has- been stated to te from 10,000 to" 12,000 under normal conditions. This leaves aibout 25,000 men still to be accounted for, and of these a large proportion are to he found in the reserves ' that support the New Zealarid' Division. It sliouldi no'fc be forgotten, >f course, that headquarters' staffs and >ase staffs necessarily absorb many uen. ' ✓?

The events of the present year have liown that the New Zealand, .reserves i'-e not too large. Any division in theMlied line may have to bear the brunt ■J a Oewsan massed attack, and) the N'ew Zealanders, under such eondi"ions, could; not wait while reinfort-p.-nents werx? sent from this, country. But Mie New Zealand' reserves are large -nou<rh to tn've a reasonable feeling of security. They have been are are bens; strengthened 'by the increased reinforcements sent since April, and the >Tew Zealand command' can face the •est of this .war's fighting without fern '■hat the division may fail in strength it a.critical hour.

It was officially stated some month? ago that New Zealand had mobilised 'or service with the Expeditionary ' 7 orce 107,000 men. The number has

unce grown to about 115,000 men. This includes between 9000 and' 10.000 recruits' who have been discharged from the camps without serving abroad. Il does not include officers and' men of 'be home establishment.