DEFENCE FORCES.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1926, Page 4

DEFENCE FORCES.

YEAR. OP REAR WORK. MORE EQUIPMENT NEEDED. ■WELLINGTON, Aug. 4. “If the efficiency and readiness for war of the land force in New Zealand is to be maintained, several measures in the direction of providing more up-to-date equipment and greater financial assistance from the Government will bo required,” states the report of the Defence Department, which was brought before the House to-day. “The present mobilisation equipment and armament,” the document states, “is generally speaking complete, and in good order, but since the experience gained in the recent war, it is considered that changes and development arc necessary in the design, nature, and power of modern equipment. The present is an important and difficult period, in that after exhaustive experiments and trials certain new armaments and equipment must he adopted to bring the equipments up-to-date, and in uniformity with other land forces of the Empire. “The conditions and changes have been carefully considered,” the report goes on. “and provision is being made to acquire war reserves of gun ammunition.” A scheme embodying alterations and additions to existing coast defences and defining the total period and successive stages by which those essential requirements will ho effected is being drawn up, and will he submitted shortly. This scheme is based upon the recommendation of the Committee of Imperial Defence. THE TERRITORIALS. The G.0.C.. Mnjor-Genofial H. Young, stales: ‘‘The past year is the first occasion since the war that the scale of training for the Territorial Force has approached that laid down in the Defence Act. The curtailment of training imposed by the financial stringency during the years following the war made it almost impossible to retain the services of officers and noncommissioned officers, as without the opportunities for field and collective training they had very little incentive. With the return to more normal conditions, the Territorial Force lias received a much-needed stimulus. There is 110 longer a serious shortage of officers and non-commissioned officers, and there is enthusiasm and esprit de corps in all units. The annual training camps were excellently attended Many units secured a full attendance, while almost all obtained not less than 80 per cent, of strength. Most useful and interesting work was done during these camps. As a result of the past year’s training 1 can confidently say, from knowledge gained during personal inspections, that very good progress was made, and very encouraging results were obtained. “The population of the Dominion- is steadily growing, and it is becoming more difficult each year to clothe, equip and train all those liable for military service on the money voted for the purpose. Since the date of the last report the strength of the Territorial Force has increased by 2022, and the Cadets by 2G7;), an increase of approximately 10 per cent .in each ease.” AVIATION. During the year the aviation section’s activities have been strengthened by the arrival at the Wigraiu Aerodrome (Christchurch) of two machines, which, together with those taken from the several aviation companies, are the only purchases the Dominion has nindtjj All other aircraft in hand are portion of the original Imperial .gift. These machines are obsolete, and as the gift stock of spares for this typo is practically depleted, it will he impossible to maintain them in airworthy eonditon for any length of time. Tn the purchase of new air service plant it is intended to concentrate upon one type, in order to make it possible to give training in concerted work, winch up to the present time has not been possible on account of the different typos with different qualifications. An aiea of 1(14]- acres lias been purchased at Hobsonvilje, Auckland, the report states, for the purpose of establishing a combined land-plane and seaplane base. The site is said to ho an excellent one, but expenditure will bo required for the construction of slip-ways, preparations for the landing ground, and other essential preparatory work.