MOBILE FORGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 August 1939, Page 7

MOBILE FORGE

WITH GREAT FIRE POWER PRESENT AIM OF DEFENCE AUTHORITIES. MUCH MODERN EQUIPMENT COMING TO HAND. IBy Telegraph—Press Associa’on.) CHRISTCHURCH. August 15. ‘‘l know and the New Zealand public must know that without the public's support no army can exist, but I am j: leased to say that, the people of this country are behind the New Zealand forces.” said the Chief of the General Staff. Major-General Duigan at the New Zealand industries fair tonight, when more than 700 members of local territorial units paraded. New Zealand was concentrating on mobile forces at present, said MajorGeneral Duigan and those forces were rapidly being brought, up to full strength and made efficient, both in training and in modern equipment, with the hope that the fear of invasion could bo reduced to a minimum. There were now three army district schools for training personnel. ‘‘We arc not aiming at a force ol 50,000 men but one that will be very mobile and possess great fire power," Major-General Duigan said. "Today a man with a modern automatic weapon such as the Bren. Vickers or Hotchkiss gun can provide a most effective means of defence. The army is being modernised as rapidly as possible. A tremendous amount of modern equipment is on order and is coming quickly to hand."