NEW ZEALAND ARMY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 120, 23 May 1941, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND ARMY

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT

THE LATEST IN VIEW

MUCH DONE DESPITE DIFFICULTIES

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. "The New Zealand Territorial Force is to be equipped with the most modern weapons available as quickly as these can be obtained, and mechanisation is to be carried on in conformity with the latest demands of warfare." This information was given by the Chief of the General Staff, Major-General Sir John Duigan, in t an interview today. He said that his successor, Lieutenant-General Sir Guy Williams, would not be taking over an unorganised Territorial Force. Sir John Duigan retires from his command on May 31. He intends to visit Australia for a holiday. His present visit to Christchurch is the last he will pay in an official capacity, and he said he had made the trip to thank the staff of the Southern Military District, both permanent and temporary, for the excellent work they had done. They had worked long hours, and since the outbreak of the war holidays had been out of the question for them. INITIAL DIFFICULTIES. At the outset 50 per cent, of the staff officers had to be released for service overseas, and their places had been taken by Territorial officers and officers from the reserve who had gome back into service, he said. On the whole, they had done excellent work. Expansion of the Territorial Force from 16,000 to 45,000 had been completed and all the senior officers had gained experience in the moving of motorised troops, and through manoeuvres which had been made as realistic as possible they had learned something of the latest methods of engaging and fighting the enemy. The clothing and equipping of the forces and the supply of modern weapons had been constantly under review, including the question of the mechanisation of the whole army as fast as possible with the latest types of weapons and other equipment available. In time this huge task would be completed. A great deal had already been done to improve the efficiency of the forces and they were now on a much better basis than they were at the outbreak of hostilities. MAKING UP THE LEEWAY. New Zealand had started a long way behind scratch, sharing that handicap with all the other nations of the British Commonwealth, but by the exertion of energy and constant application to the needs of the day and hour it had made up a lot of ground. Most of the Territorial Force.had been given three months' intensive training and the majority of the officers had had fi\ c months' training. This work was continuing, and the efficiency of the! defence forces generally was steadily improving. Sir John Duigan added that in addition to the training of the large force of Territorials, New Zealand had also reason to be satisfied with the state of efficiency in the expeditionary force. A large force had been sent overseas. These men had received their preliminary training in the various camps built and equipped in the Dominion. Their training had been designed to meet the requirements of General Freyberg, and there was every re son to believe that the- commander overseas had been well satisfied.