SUPPLY OF MEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12285, 6 April 1918, Page 8

SUPPLY OF MEN.

LLOYD GEORGE’S APPEAL.

Reinforcements to be Accelerated.

[Per Press Association,] WELLINGTON, April 5. Cabinet to-day considered Air Lloyd George’s cablegram appealing for increased assistance in the prosecution of the war. The Prime Minister stated afterwards that certain decisions had been reached. and would be communicated to Parliament next week. The Government in the meantime was in communication with the Imperial Army Council. It is understood there will bo some acceleration of reinforcements.

SPEECH BY MR MASSEY.

No Time for Hesitation.

■ [Feu Press Association.] ‘ WELLINGTON. April 5. Speaking at the unveiling of an honours board' at Khandallah to-night, Mr Massey said: Victory depends upon ourselves. I believe things will come right, but they will come right only if the British people in every part of the Empire do their duty. I can toll you, without giving away Cabinet secrets, that durlng a great part oi to-day members of the Government were sitting in Cabinet considering how best to meet the appeal by Mr Lloyd George for increased assistance. lam not in a position i« state what the Government lias decided. AVe have arrived at. certain decisions, which will be made public in due course. I might b 0 able to tell yonmoro_ but for the fact that some of ‘our decisions have to be submitted to elm impel ial authorities for their consideration and approval. A cablegram that \ull bp diSpjitcbod within tbo next few hours will roll the Imperial Cabinet what New Zealand intends to do. AYo have asked for their advice. When we receive an answer to that eablegiam wp shall make a statement in 1 arhament as to what we have promised the Imperial Government, Mr Massey said the time had arrived lor a great effort, and he thought Mr Moyd George did absolutely the right tiling when lie sent out his stirrinoappeal to the dranmiens of the Umpire and ,to the United States to send all the men they were able to transport. .1 hope and believe that the response of the dominions will be worthy of the Eaid tht ' Pril,le Minister. Ibis is no time for hesitation or for half measures. _ It is time for steadfast determination. The more men we ale able to place in the field ’during the nest months the better it will bo for the Empire and for humanity. Our duty under existing circumstances is to do all we are capable of doing. That is what tbo Government of this country is going to ask the people '’to' back it up in doing.” Tbo Prime Minister mentioned tint to Urn present about 100,000 New Zealanders had boon taken into camp, and 00,000 had loft for service overseas. About U.OOfi of these men had returned to the Dominion, many of them incaparitiiled wholly or partially. Thousands of others had fallen, and thnir names were recorded indelibly in the history of ibe nation.