J FORCE DUTIES EXTENDED

Chronicle (Levin), 4 September 1947, Page 5

J FORCE DUTIES EXTENDED

CHOFU, Sept. 2. With the withdrawal of the 26Sth Indian Infantry Brigade group from duties in Japan, control of the Shimane prefecture extending from Xorth Hagi to Tottori, has been allotted to the 2nd X.Z.E.F. Previously the Xew Zealand force responsibility was confined to the Yaniaguchi prefecture of 24S4 square miles. Detaehments of Xew Zealand ' troops are now moving into the Shimane prefecture and other changes niay possibly be effeeted. While the ATew Zealand force is now smaller its responsibility has mcreased. The Shimane prefecture eovers 130 miles of coastiine on the Japan Sea, In addi- . tion the 2nd X.Z.E.F. has already about 70 miles of coastiine bordering; the same sea from Shimonoseki feo north of Hagi. This area is at present eovered by detaehments of the 2nd and 3rd Xew Zealand Battalions. Last week a survey party of oiiieers from N.Z.E.F. headquarters and the battalions, visited the new prefecture. Compared with the towns in the Yaniaguchi prefecture, those in the new area are cleaner and betler Iaidout. The principal streets are concrete surfaced, a pleasant change from the bad roads in the south, and many of the larger buildings are modelled on European lines with shops well stoclced and prices reasonable. Tlie gift purchaser with a good supply of yen would find pienty to interest him. In many respeets the coastal area resembles Queen Charlotte and Pelorous Sounds. From the agrieultral viewpoint the country is very rieh and farming activities include grazing aa well as intensive cropping. The principal industries are farming, fishing and timber working.