DOMINION'S PART.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1916, Page 5

DOMINION'S PART.

THE THIRD BRIGADE. OUR TOTAL CASUALTIES By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Referring lo the creation of a New Zealand Division at the front by means of (lie formation of a third brigade from the accumulated infantry reinforcements, the Minister for Defence stated to-night that the. question of reorganisation df artillery was still under consideration. Probably a few additional men would be wanted, but any extra guns were being supplied by the Imperial authorities. He did not think that the Dominion would require to make any substantial change in the rate of reinforcements for artillery. The total number of casualties in the New Zealand Expeditionary force, reported up to and including February 14, was 8223. The total was made tip as follows:

THE NEW ZEALAND DIVISION. SATISFACTORY REINFORCEMENTS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Feb. 14. The formation of a New Zealand Division at the front means, in effect, that tiie strength of the Main Body will be .increased from 801)0 to 12,000 men. A third brigade is to be. formed from accumulated infantry reinforcements, now at- the base camp, and with the two brigades of the Main Body will form the New Zealand Division. Reinforcements have been going forward to the Main liody at the rate of 20 per cent, of the nominal strength per month, and these drafts have lioetnmore than sutlicieiil In maintain the original force. Indeed, I her? will still lie reinforcements in hand when the new brigade has been formed. The nominal strength of the Main IJodies now will be: Original Main Cody .... ROOO New Brigade 4000 X.Z. P.ille Brigade 4000 l(),00tl men If the new brigade were provided with monthly reinforcements at the same rate as the other units, the Defence Department would have to eall for 800 additional recruits per month, but the Defence Minister stated to-day that he did not think that would be necessary, l'rohiibly tiie tact that reinforcements have accumulated sufficiently to provide men for a brigade, after covering all wastage, is an . indication that the rate of .reinforcement is higher than ia actually required. The reorganisation of the New Zealand forces at the front will involve some promotions and changes in commands, but the Defence authorities are not yet ready to make any announcement in that respect.

Officers . Men Killed 70 ))4'2 Din! of wounds .... lM 54:1 died of disease .... !l 2S2 Dend i-auxe unknown 7 480 Drowned 111 24 Missing 110 Prisoners of war ... — 2.'! Wounded. 217 !i2(>0 Totals :MO 787U