THE CALL FOR MEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16822, 12 April 1918, Page 4

THE CALL FOR MEN.

The New Zealand Government has taken two definite steps in response to Mr. Lloyd George's appeal. It has decided to speed up the despatch and mobilisation of reinforcements and to form, and subsequently reinforce, a New Zealand tank battalion. The finding of this specialist battalion is in response to a specific' request from the British Govern- J ment. The Government is now Becking information from the British authorities as to the additional reinforcements required, and has expressed its willingness to increase the strength of the regular drafts. If no advice is forthcoming the New Zealand Government will send additional men in accordance with its own judgment of what the country can spare. In putting the views of the Government before the House the Prime Minister rightly emphasised the gravity of the situation and indicated that New Zealand may soon have to face a combing out process and submit to a restriction of industrial enterprise. His speech was a mild reproof to those who on every call for men go out of their way to emphasise the importance of production and the scarcity of shipping. We have been expressly asked for men and our duty is to find them ungrudgingly. The tone of the Prime Minister's speech was sound and statesmanlike throughout. The changes he foreshadowed will involve sacrifice, but they will be loyally approved throughout the Dominion.