MAN-POWER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9870, 16 January 1918, Page 5

MAN-POWER

NEED OF MORE MEN EMPHASISED RUSSIA’S WITHDRAWAL RELEASES 1,600,000 GERMANS. By Telegraph—Pr**« Association—Copyriijli 1 Australian and N.Z. Cabla Association (Received January 16, 12.45 a.m.) LOND'OK, January 14. T_n the House of Commons, Sir .Aiuoklaud Geddas, Director of National, Services, in introducing tho Manpower Bill, said was tho central war problem. The most urgent need at present was men for the Army. The position of Britain’s Allies laid the heaviest burden on Britain until America was ready. The Allies wore still substantially superior to tbe enemy as regards men, despite Russia and Roumania, but the Russians’ withdrawal released 1,600,000 enemy aoldiers for the West. The Empire hitherto had raised 7,500,000 troops. England had contributed. 4,530,000, Scotland 620,000, Wiales 230,000, Ireland 170,000, too Dominions and colonies ,900,000* Tho Army immediately needed another j 420,000 to 450,000 men. It was not true that the British Amy afield was dwindling *, it was still longer than gtgt, but it was necessary to look ahead and provide for rearward services. iSor Auckland Geddes pointed out that the problem could not he solved dramatically. The Bill empowered the Director-General to withdraw occupy tional exemptions apart from the Army’s needs. The labour-employing departments required a further 430,000 men and 119,000 women. Already 815,000 women munition workers were employed. NO ALTERATION TO BE MADE IN MILITARY AGE. Renter's Telegrams. (Received January 15, 11.33 p.m.) LONDON, January 14. _ In the House of Commons, Sir Auckland Geddos announced that the Government had decided that for the present the military age would neither l>e lowered nor raised. Compulsion would not he introduced in Ireland, but he would not hesitate to adopt any or all these measures if the military needs were not met otherwise. WESTERN^ FRONT FRENCH COMMUNIQUE* By Telegraph—PrftM Association —Copyrl^lu Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn, and Eeuter. (Received January 16, 12.35 a.m.) LONDON, January 15. A French communique states; Accurate fire dispersed enemy detachments trying.to reach our lines on the sector of the Goosehill, on the left bank of the Meuse. NEW ZEALANDERS IN WEST WORK ON TRENCH REPAIRING. READY FOR POSSIBLE ENEMY OFFENSIVE. From Malcolm Ross. January 13. There has been another snowfall and bitterly cold weather, but the troops both in and behind the lines have stood it well. The weather is now mild, and the thaw has made the roads and camps muddy. Our hoys have turns in the front line, and much work has been done in repairing trenches. Whether the enemy will attempt a renewed offensive or not we cannot say, but if he does we shall be ready for him, and in any such attempt his losses are certain to he heavy. For the moment we may he said to bo in the position of a cricket team playing out time in a bad light, knowing that on the morrow we shall be able to resume the initiative with greater confidence. Tho moral of our forces is still strong. On the other hand, there are evidences of weakening in the ranks of tho enemy, and we learn that his accessions from tho Russian front are already showing a disposition to desert. In the meantime, the New Zealanders are alert and active on the sector they are holding. NAVAL AIRGRAFT SUCCESSFUL DUMP BOMBING. By Tclesrrapb—Pres* Association —Cnnyrlith; An*, and N.Z. Cable Assn, and 'Reuter (Received January 15, 8 p.m). LONDON, January 14. The Admiralty reports: Yesterday at noon our aircraft bombed Engel dump. Bursts wero observed in the sheds. All our machines returned.