HOME DEFENCE UNITS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 October 1940, Page 3

HOME DEFENCE UNITS

IMPORTANT CHANGES

ANNOUNCED BY MINISTER. DIVISIONAL COMMANDERS APPOINTED. IBy Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Important administrative changes in the heme defence units of the land forces of New Zealand were announced yesterday by the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones. He said that the army was being placed on a footing, both in organisation and training, that would facilitate a smooth and rapid changeover should mobilisation become necessary. “It will be obvious that an organisation suitable for peace conditions, with a Territorial Force of 16,000, will not answer the demands which would be placed upon it should an army of over 40,000 be required to defend these shores.” Mr Jones said. "The Government has therefore decided that the commanders of the more important formations and their principal staff officers should hold their appointments in peace in order to enable them to study the various tactical and administrative problems with which they might be faced in war. This decision will also enable these commanders to undertake the training of their staffs, a provision which is very necessary in view of the number of highly trained officers who have gone overseas with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The following three officers have been granted the temporary rank of brigadier, and posted as follows: — Colonel P. H. Bell, D. 5.0., to command the first (northern) division, with headquarters at Auckland. Colonel N .W. McD. Weir to command the second (central) division with headquarters at Wellington. Colonel O. H. Mead, C.8.E., D. 5.0., to command the third (southern) division, with headquarters at Christchurch. The appointments will take effect as from October 14, when the following additional changes will also take place: — Colonel R. A. Row, D. 5.0., to command the northern field force. Colonel E. T. Rowllings to command the southern field force. Lieutenant-Colonel L. Potter, from G. 5.0.. northern district, to command the central field force with temporary rank of colonel. Lieutenant-Colonel A. E. Conway, 0.8. E., to be Adjutant-General, with the temporary rank of colonel. Lieutenant-Colonel L. G. Goss, to be colonel, general staff, with the temporary rank of colonel. Lieutenant-Colonel H. E. Avery, C.M.G., D. 5.0., to be quartermastergeneral with the temporary rank of colonel. Mr Jones explained that the Government had further considered the command and administration of the land forces allotted for home defence in relation to the considerable expansion recently decided upon. He said the formation of further units of the Territorial Force would be undertaken as soon as the necessary arrangements to train the officers and non-commissioned officers could be made. The units of the national reserve and independent mounted rifles which had been and were now being organised, had further increased the number of men to be controlled by the army authorities. The total, including reinforcements in training for the expeditionary force, would be nearer 50,000 than 40,000 in the near future. “The necessity for having an adequate defence force for this Dominion has all along been recognised by the Government, and the plans that were originally adopted have been expanded from time to time to meet the changing conditions,” he added. “I am sure that we will have the full support of all sections of the public in the steps that have been taken to increase personnel, and in the task that has been undertaken to place the army on a footing, both in regard to organisation and training, that will facilitate a smooth and rapid change should mobilisation become necessary.”