OFFENCE FORCES

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1927, Page 4

OFFENCE FORCES

THE YEAR’S PROGRESS

MA J O R-G EN EI LA I, YOUN G' S REPORT.

WEL! lINGTUN, Aug. 2. “The Territorial force as a whole has made a- distinct advance during the year.'' .says the G.O.C. of iho Military Eoices, Major-General JL. Y ' ng, in Ids annual report, which was presented to Parliament to-day by the Minister for Defence (the Hon. Mr IT Heston). “As a result of the careful preliminary and elementary training done (hiring the previous two years, all units have lieen able to carry out mere advanced field work. It would now be possible successfully to undertake brigade training and combined operations, but this is not intended, as .siicli higher training would interfere unduly with commercial and industrial life by taking all men of military ago in a command into camp at tlie one time.

y “The increase in population, and j| ! the trend of the youth to the main s centres has resulted in city units becoming we!! over strength, and growing linweildv, 0.g.. the Ist. Battalion, the Auckland Regiment, is five hundred over strength. The sound way nt keeping the strength of units witli- ] in establishments is the forming of new (j units. This cannot he recommended. ,! owing to the increased cost the money i I being required in other avenues. To overcome the difficulty, the Director of Medical Service lias drawn up a higher physical standard for the Territorial Lorco. It is hoped that this will keep city units within their required establishments, and also result in higher efficiency in units. “A very satisfactory feature of the past training year has been the large increase in the number of horses seen in the camps of our mounted ritle regiments. Though the development of the Air Service will greatly assist the held forces in general reconnaissance duties in the absence of mechanised equipments, we are still dependent on the mounted arm for close reconnaissance and protective duties. Battle honours have now been approved for all infantry and mounted rille regiments in accordance with recommendations on the subject of to the Army Council. The question as to whether the mounted rifle regiments .should <arry standards lias been referred to the Army Council for decision. Up to the present they have not enjoyed this privilege.” Tn reviewing the efficiency, training, and administration of the Defence Forces under bis command, and in judging their progress. General Young again directs attention to the fact that the last three or four years have been a very difficult period. “It was perhaps inevitable that following the universal feeling of exhaustion produced by the efforts of the Great War. a, very natural reaction

and public apathy towards further defence ex|>enditure and requirements should ensue. 'Public interest in the efficiency and welfare of i be‘field forces | and a general recoguitoii of tlie nc- | eessity for continued defensive meaI sures, have, however, gradually been restored, and has had a most marked and beneficial effect, not only on the esprit de corps and general efficiency of all arms and services, hut on the individual interest and enthusiasm of all concerned. ‘'Based on the experience and lessons of the recent war, and as a result of exhaustive experiments still being carried out by the War Office, many important changes have been introduced into our present military requirements. Much of our existing armament and equipment i.s rapidly becoming obsolescent and will have to be gradually replaced in the near future, but pending the results of the trials now in progress, and the adoption of the standardised armament and field equipment, only absolutely essential replacements and additions at compara- j t'ivelv small cost have been effected. “Careful consideration has been given to the question of coast defence armaments and requirements, and several important recommendations have been received from the War Office. Owing to the heavy expenditure involved, and in view of the rapid development of the air service, and possible potentialities of aircraft taking a still greater share in the problem of coast defence, it has been considered

advisable to defer putting these recommendations into effect.

“Certain new equipment is urgently required for defensive training in chemical warfare. The manufacture of this special equipment is a highly technical process, and it is not practicable or economical to produce it locally. A .scheme lias, therefore, been submitted showing the minimum requirements for the military forces with the estimated cost and period of acquirement. It is hoped that during the coming year sufficient oT this equipment will be available to proceed a

once with the training of selected officers and non-commissioned officers in this branch of warfare.” The strength of the military forces at the present time closely approximates that of a division, comprising 100 officers and 390 other ranks of the Permanent Forces, and 1238 officers and 21,243 other ranks in the Territorials. In addition there are 475 officers serving with 33,648 Senior Cadets. The Territorial Force shows an increase of 1619 over the previous year, and the Senior Cadets an increase of 1743. 'Hie not expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund for defence purposes, including aviation and assistance to rifle clubs for the year ended March 31st. last, was £493,273.