THE LAND FORCES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 24, 28 July 1939, Page 10

THE LAND FORCES

FIXING OF STRENGTH

USE OF RESERVE

Further information regarding the' Government's defence policy and the use of the Territorial Army and the National Military Reserve in time of war was given by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) in the House of Representatives today, when he replied to three question's on defence matters. The Minister indicated that all three classes of the Reserve would probably be given a certain amount of i training. | Mr. T. L. Macdonald (National, JMataura) asked the Minister if he would state the reasons for fixing the maximum number of the Territorial Force at 16,000, and whether, in view lof the changed and critical interna- ; tional situation, particularly in the Far East, it would not now be better to make assurance doubly sure by trainjing all persons of suitable age. ATTACK ENVISAGED. '•In fixing the establishment of the Territorial Force, at 16,000 the Government was guided by the conclusions of the recent Pacific Conference, which envisaged a certain scale of attack," the Minister replied. "The force of 16,000 is intended to be a nucleus which will be expanded in emergency to such dimensions as will deal with any situation likely to arise. "Arrangements are being made to afford refresher training to Classes I and II of the National Military Reserve now being enrolled. Class I comprises men between twenty and thirty-five years of age with not lesjs than two years' training in the Territorial Force or in any of the military forces of the Empire, and Class II returned soldiers and ex-regulars between the ages of. thirty-five and fifty-five years. As soon as provision has been made for training Classes I and II consideration will be given to what extent training should be provided for Class III." In reply to a question put by Mr. J. M. Allen (National, Hauraki), Mr. Jones said that the report of MajorGeneral P. J. Macl^sey, C.8., D.5.0., M.C., on the land forces of New Zealand was of a secret and confidential nature, and consequently it was not in the public interest to publish it. EQUIPPING THE FORCES. Mr. A. N. Grigg (National, MidCanterbury) asked the Minister whether, in connection with the recent an[nouncement by the Minister that the Army Department had placed orders for 16,000 pairs of boots and a substantial quantity of khaki cloth for uniforms, etc., he would state when these orders were placed, and whether they were the first to supply the boots and uniforms necessary to equip the increased establishment decided on after the Pacific Defence Conference. "It was af the end ,of last month that authority was issued for the expenditure involved," the Minister replied, "tout owing to its being necessary to negotiate with manufacturers regarding prices and output, orders | fdr "the boots and other equipment rei ferred to have not yet been actually i placed. Negotiations, however, are i being finalised, and it is expected that contracts will be arranged almost imI mediately. The items of uniform re- ' ferred to are required to a limited extent for the increased establishment of the Territorial Army and Air Force, but largely for replenishing stocks and building up adequate reserves."