FACING UP TO UNREALITY

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 28, 28 October 1942, Page 4

FACING UP TO UNREALITY

District Commandant On Training Problem LINES OF COMMUNICATION COMPANY The unreality of war in the form of a direct threat to the country was a serious difficulty with which the Army had to contend in the maintenance of interest and enthusiasm in part-time voluntary training, said the Central District Commandant, Colonel H. M. Foster, N.Z.S.C., when he addressed the 18th Company, Lines of Communication (Wellington), at Waikanae on Labour Day. ' Tlie fact of this company devoting its whole Labour weekend to a camp and training showed that its members appreciated their responsibility, said Colonel Foster. The same applied to other units which spent all or part of their Labour weekend in training to defend their country. The war situation, as it affected New Zealand directly, could improve or deteriorate with a rapidity that might not be generally realized, said Colonel Foster. If it deteriorated there would be no time then to train for their job. When war seemed unreal training had to be carried out in face of the sacrifice of home ties and attractions. The men in such units as those he was addressing had to give their own time and energy to training, whereas in the event of serious emergency such service would be automatic.

The proper outlook was to anticipate any situation. A man insuring his home did not consider the premium wasted if there were no fire. It was a safeguard in the event of fire, but no waste if such loss did not occur. Tlie same applied to training. The Lines of Communication companies would, in the event of emergency. be relied on by the Army as a reserve means of transport. If there were a railways breakdown or the distance between railheads and A.S.C. bases were too great, the L.O.C. companies would have a big part to play. They must not only be able to do,their transport job, but defend their vehicles and tlie freight they carried, concluded Colonel Foster.

Seventy-five per cent, of the company are engaged in transport in clvil life, but there are mon of other occupations—professional and trade — among them. They provide their own vehicles, with the handling of which they are well familiar from dally experience. The present intention is to continue the bivouac camps monthly. The regular programme so far has been day parades fortnightly, with weekly night classes for officers and n.c.o.’s. A fair proportion of returned soldiers are in the company. For the weekend camp instructors, and arms, were furnished from the Central Military District School of Instruction. Major Bnucliop, second in command, Central District L. of C. Companies, attended tlie camp which was in the charge of Captain Lepper, company commander. After Monday’s company parade Colonel Foster congratulated all ranks on a smart bearing.