MAIN BODY MEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17089, 22 August 1917, Page 6

MAIN BODY MEN

ARRANGEMENTS FOR FURLOUGH. STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER. (From Our Own Correspondent.) ; . . WELLINGTON, August 21. lha Minister of Defence made a statement m the House of Representatives to-night concerning the arrangements rnado for the itturn of the Main Body men to New Zealand on furlough. He said that the whole of tho .Main Body nen at present, in Egypt and Palestine— probably not more than 200— would be brought to the dominion on leave as early as possible in one group, or possibly in two groups. With respect to the Main liody men in Franco, it was proposed to bring these men back at tho rate of 250 every four weeks, if transports were availabo. The Defence Department had been ablo to devise a scheme for bringing back men on furlough at this rate from now until tho close of the war. The men of the Main Body and tho first reinforcements would have priority as of right. Men of the Samoan Force who had joined a reinforcement immediately on then- return to New Zealand would count as Main Body men, but this would not bo tho case if they had taken furlough beforo joining a reinforcement. He would ask tho House and the country generally to assist the Government in seeing that the men went back to the front at-the close of their fur-

lough. If they did not the scheme would break down. The men would have two months' leave in New Zealand, and the journey would occupy two montliis each way. " We shall have to supply 1500 extra men in order to provide for the furlough," said the Minister. "We can see our way to do this if the dominion keeps up the present rate of reinforcements for another month or two. _ That is necessary in order to keep the division up to strength and re-' place the men on leave. After the first six months the returning furlough men will balance the departing drafts." Tho Minister added that the number of Mam Body men in France was between 2000 and 2500. He proposed as an alternative that men who did not wish to come to New Zealand should be allowed to take two months leave in England. The. same privilege might be extended to the men in Palestine and Egypt