WAR MATERIAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 31 July 1919, Page 5

WAR MATERIAL.

EQUIPMENT FOR TVVO NEW ZEALAND DIVISIONS.

It was aut-horilta.tiv4ely stated .reC'ently that the‘ Defence Department, thx-oughv the Government, had completed the purchase of :1. big supply of war material for use in New Zealand_

Though it 111131 not been” definitely announced, it has been freely rumoured in'nlili\t.al'y quarters that the Defence authorities intend 79?)’ form two army divisions in the ’Donli'nion—one in the North Island and one in the? South Island. The supplies of heavy al'till;lel‘_s'. stores, jvand general equipment, that the Times ifnderstands have been procured, are sufficienlt. to-. equip two divisions. ‘

Of late there. have ‘Been a number of pronmtions 'ani"o"flgst ofiicers of the Stafi’ Corps, and althouejh demobilisation is freely spoken I", it is said to be questionable if th: Stafl’ Corps has been reduced by one -ofiicer. In(Teed, it is sfatcd Fffat the members of the Staff Corps have been increased in number. Recently a conference was held for the purpose of holding 9. “refresher” course for sofficers who Have done duty at ‘f’x'le front and’ who were desirous of_ joining the Staff Corps.

The qnostion is being asked: “Why has the purchase of war material been decided upon in so hurried a manner wi’rhou!'r the question being referred to Parlizxmont? and who is directly responsible for the order being placed?”

‘The Minister for Defence probably is able to give an explanation, but the contention is that the purchase, if it was found necessary for some Im; pcrial and une:<p;l'ained reascn, should first have received the sandtion of Par--I§slcnt.——‘.\-’.Z. Times.