REPLACEMENT SCHEME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25849, 21 May 1945, Page 4

REPLACEMENT SCHEME

PROCEDURE ACCELERATED

FUTURE ROLE OF DIVISION (PA.) WELLINGTON, May 20. The scheme for the replacement of all long service men from the 2nd N.Z.E.F. in Italy with men draw from industry in New Zealand is to be continued. This announcement was made to-day by the Acting Prime Minister, Mr W. Nash, who added that this procedure was in accordance with the policy announced by the Government last year. This policy has been carried out in the past, and the first, second, and third echelons, together with the fourth and fifth reinforcements, in all 16,000 men, have been brought home to New Zealand. With the arrival in Egypt of the 15th Reinforcements and the end of hostilities against Germany General Sir Eernard Freyberg is now in a position, subject to the provision of the necessary shipping, to speed up the replacement scheme, Under the original plan it was considered that the Sixth Reinforcements would be withdrawn in June when the 15th Reinforcements were available in the field, and the Seventh Reinforcements in September. It is now proposed, as soon as shipping can be provided, to bring the men of the Sixth Reinforcements home to New Zealand, while the men of the Seventh Reinforcements will follow as soon afterwards as possible, perhaps even at the same time. The men of the other reinforcement drafts will follow in their proper order and as the situation allows. Mr Nash said that an announcement to this effect was being made to all the men of the division by General Freyberg, who would at the same time explain that the question of the future employment of the division and our other forces in the war against Japan was under consideration by the chiefs of staff, whose report when ready would be submitted to the Prime Minister and the Government. Immediately this was available a decision would be taken and a statement made.