NEW ZEALAND DIVISION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16825, 16 April 1918, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND DIVISION.

LARGER REINFORCEMENTS. PROVISION FOR FIVE MONTHS. DRAFTS INCREASED BY 1700. EFFORT LIMITED BY SHIPPING [m telegraph.— CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Monday. " A reply has come from the Imperial Government with regard to the increase of reinforcements," said the Minister for Defence in the House of Representatives to-day. "As the percentage of reinforcements supplied during the last few months has not been disclosed at the express wish of the Imperial Government, I do not think it desirable to say exactly what the increase is. It is a more or less material increase, but it is asked for only for live months. I hopo that at the end of the five months no further reinforcements will be required. If there are, presumably the percentage will be reduced again to that existing during the last few months." Continuing, Sir James Allen said i—"The Prime Minister has told the.House that in accordance with the request of the Imperial authorities, the N'ew Zealand Government had decided to create one new unit, that is, a tank battalion. That is the only new unit that will be created. In the futuro I think the House and the people of this country would wish the Government to follow the practice we have followed throughout the war of supplying the number of men stated to be required by tho Army Council. We have accepted advice from the Army Council as to the number of men required to keep the New Zealand division at full strength. This increase is intended to keep the division at full strength during the timo when wo may expect more or less severe casualties, owing to. the present vigorous righting.