NEW ZEALAND'S REINFORCEMENTS.

Southland Times, Issue 17833, 12 July 1918, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND'S REINFORCEMENTS.

Sir Thomas Mackenzie’s frank statement at Home upon the question of drawing further men from New Zealand is interesting at this juncture. The High Commissioner showed that the levy upon New Zealand has berm very heavy. That, of course, is true. It is understood that the United Kingdom has contributed more men to the forces, in proportion to its population, than any other part of the Empire. New Zealand ranks next and is a good second. It must also be admitted that further men cannot be withdrawn from New Zealand without seriously embarrassing those engaged in production and industrial enterprise. It must also be admitted as a matter which is not open to dispute that it is folly to send to New Zealand for men, ships which could be employed in transporting men from the United States to France. Sir Thomas Mackenzie suggests that New Zealand should now supply produce and America supply the men. That suggestion appears to be founded on common sense, but wc must know more about the whole question before coming to a definite conclusion. There will be no differences of opinion as to the necessity for maintaining the New Zealand Division at full strength. That must be done in any circumstances, so that the strength of the reinforcements now required largely depends upon what reserves have been accumulated for the reinforcement of the division. If there are huge reserves in France, England and New Zealand, then the monthly draft might very well be cut down to a fraction of the present figure. The strength of the reserves is known only to the Defence Department, and it is to be hoped that Sir James Allen’s promised statement will include full details on this point. Then there is a second point, and that is how far our men are being taken Home on refrigerated ships. If .our produce is to go Home then these ships have to come to New Zealand, and if they can carry men as well as produce every man sent Home means a gain to the Allies. The urgent need for men cannot be disputed. The Imperial Government has appealed strongly to the New Zealand Government for increased drafts, and it has backed its appeal by combing out its own essential industries. In New Zealand we are still exempting all coal miners; in Britain 75,000 miners previously exempted have been called up, though it is known ns the result of calling them up a shortage in the coal output of between 20,000,000 and 30,000,000 tons will be caused. Britain is also calling up agricultural labourers previously exempted, and endeavouring to replace them with women and German prisoner's in order to gather the harvest. When Britain, who has already contributed to the forces more men in proportion to population than New Zealand, takes these drastic steps to raise still more men for the colours and at the same time appeals to New Zealand for increased reinforcements, the request cannot be lightly put. aside, even if the sending of more men causes difficulty here. It is advisable to preserve an open mind in this matter since all the facts are not known to the public. If Sir James Allen’s statement is as full as it ought to be we shall be in a better position to form an opinion. The Minister has -indicated that he hopes shortly to be able to reduce the monthly quota to the old figures, and no doubt wo shall have an announcement from him in the course of the next day or two.