THE FOURTH BRIGADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1917, Page 3

THE FOURTH BRIGADE.

CALLING UP SECOND DIVISION : (DEFERRED. From Our Own Correspondent. Wellington, Nov. 30. Sir James Allen's statement that "the Foiuth Infantry Brigade will 'be drawn Upon in order to supply reinforcements for the New Zealand Division"' confirms the infoi mation that was published nearly a fortnight ago. The l-'ourth Brigade, which consisted of 4500 men, was formed originally of accumulated reinforcements ut a time when the New Zealand staff in England had many men in hand and When big events were being looked for on tho West front. It was never regarded as a permanent force and reinforcements wero not supplied for it, though as a matter of faxit it was reinforced with men who were not required then for the Division. It appears that next year New Zealand will to represented on the West front by the Xcw Zealand Division (three brigades) only. The breaking up of the Fourth Brigade means, as the Minister says, that "it will be possible to maintain the New ZealaniPDivision for some time at its established strength, with a somewfiat smaller quota, of reinforcements than is at present being despatched." There are rca&rms why exact figures should not be published as to the proposed strength of the monthly reinforcements, but it may be said that the breaking up of the extra brigade makes a substantial difference to the iprospects of the Second Division men. The brigade would supply three complete reinforcements at tlie present rate. Tt was assumed on the basis of the official figures, before the reduction of the reinforcement quota and before the announcement of the disappearance of the Fourth Brigade as a unit, that the first Class B men (married men with one child) would enter camp about the "beginning of June. The date must now be set back. The Defence authorities will not make a long break between drafts, but the drafts will be comsmall. It seems a safe prediction that no Clasj E men will enter camp More July at earliest.