THE APPEAL FOR MEN

Waikato Times, Volume 84, Issue 13208, 25 June 1915, Page 5

THE APPEAL FOR MEN

EXPLANATION BY DEFENCE MINISTER. .MOUNTED DRAFTS TO BE INCREASED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Friday. Til,' Australian cable to tin' effect that Mr Fisher, Federal Prime Minister, had stated iliat Great Britain had appealed for more men with or without equipment was referred to hy Hon. •Ins. Allen. He stated that New Zealand had not received .a similar communication, on the contrary only fully trained and equipped men were wanted from New Zealand. The opinion had heen expressed in Defence circles that possibly the Imperial authorities had received a hint that recruiting in Australia needed stimulating. In another statement Mr Allen said the imperial authorities had accepted the offer made by the New Zealand Government to bring the reinforcements already despatched for mounted rifles to the same per rentage as that of the infantry—that is an increase from 10 per cent, to 15 per cent, per month of the establishment of mounted rifles serving with the Expeditionary Force. Tn round numbers the offer would involve the training and despatch of more than a thorsand men in addition to the regular reinforcement requirements.