DEFENCE FORCE.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20278, 21 August 1937, Page 8

DEFENCE FORCE.

REORGANISATION PLAN. VOLUNTARY SYSTEM RETAINED. PAYMENT DURING TRAINING. SCHOOLS FOR OFFICERS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. A thorough reorganisation of the territorial force has been decided upon by the Government,” said the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, In a statement today. “It Is proposed to go forward on up-to-date lines, so that the best possible results may be obtained for the expenditure In establishing an efficient system. The present voluntary basis will bo retained. “A greater use of mechanised equipment and training In the open will be distinctive features of the reorganised system. "The maximum effort will be concentrated on field training. In this way the physical benefits, as well as military efficiency, cannot fall to be progressive and effective. "Revised methods of control are proposed, together with a thorough reoiganisation of the machinery of the defence department." These do not Involve any fundamental change In policy; It Is largely a matter of bringing the system of command Into line with that now In force In Great Britain and In the other Dominions. "Certain units of the territorial force will be amalgamated, the aim being to organise the force as an efficient land units, Including the manning of coastal and other equipment. "The responsible' advisory body will be the council of defence, constituted

as follows: chairman, the Prime Minister; members, the Minister of Defence and such other members as may , be appointed by the Prime Minister, the chief of the naval staff, chief of the general staff, chief of the air staff and the secretary. “This council will be responsible for advising the Government on broad matters of policy, and for co-ordina-ting the work of the lliree services in the direction of securing a high standard of efficiency and co-operation. land, and air—will in turn be controlled by a board, which in the' case of ■ the territorial force will consist of: President, the Minister of Defence; first member, chief of the' general staff; second member adjutant and quartermaster-general; third member, the army secretary. “Under this system a general simplification of appointments and organisation, both at army headquarters and In the three commands or military districts will be carried out. “The Government will be entirely responsible for the policy and for the provision and control of the funds to carry out its policy. “A more beneficial and effective system of training will he adopted. Instead of a series nf night parades ’ which suffer the obvious disadvantages I of indoor drill and instruction at a • time when young men have already d’Mie I heir day's work. week-end parades will he held. These will lake the form of bivouacs in the open using “Conditions of such training will be adequate in respect of pay. rations, nrrommndalinn and transport. The same principle will he followed at the annual camps, which it is intended to hold at Faster, as far as may he practicable. “In addition every territorial will have the opportunity of attending up-to-date courses, where tie will receive training full of varied interest with scope for doing something worthwhile. For these courses, pay rations, and free travelling will he provided. Coastal Defence. “As far ns coastal defence Is con- ' eerned. it is proposed to enrol a num- • her of men for a continuous period of • three months. This should give young . j nini an opportunity to become ttior- '* ought y conversant with the latest ' enuiprnent. Incidentally tins proposal should he particularly valuable to \ those, who because nf seasonal condilions, mnv desire to undertake a , lone-er period of training without !n----terrupling their normal activities. j 1 “With a view to Improving the 1 standard of training. It Is proposed to provide a school for the v higher training of senior territorial \ officers and Instructors, also d!s----(j trlct schools for the training of officers, warrant officers and N.C. O’S. and men taking up special , t subjects. f , j “The collective training of units will s consist of six days* annual camp t- n i days in the case of coast artillery' : 0 four week-end parades, each of two days, and a six d iys’ course of instrueII “For training purposes during annual ' I camps certain units at present under ’ I strength will be grouped to form one " ! unit at full strength. As a result '• selected officers of nil ranks will be

given an opportunity t< mmand full ' slmiglh units amt subunits not a 1 skeleton force as a! present. ; “In each military district the fort- i 1 ress battalion will he re!;,inert at full ; 1 strength, amt three mounted rillles and three infantry battalions wilt he i > grouped In form one composite | ' posite battalion respectively. ■> “There is no question of drop- I ping the identity of the present. j , territorial units. Badges, colours, ! regimental alliances and bands | ■> will be retained. Traditions will j neither be broken nor discard- i ed. ’ use of motor vehicles. Hecent trials have demonstrated how motor Irans- ’ port allows training to he taken _ further afield and carried out under ! favourable conditions. In future, with the exception of mounted ride regiments. all territorial units will he _ motorised for training. The proved enthusiasm of motor eyelids will he enf couraged by of motor ■r cycle platoons. f Moro Attractive Uniforms. 1 “The additional issue of a more ata tractive uniform is muter considera- - lion, so tlj.it the wear and tear of Held a training may he cmillncd to such sor- | “I feci confident that the country as a whole will give wholefacilities for an efficient system of territorial training. “I deslro to express the thanks of the Government to the officers i and other ranks of our territorial force for the excellent service so willingly rendered by them up to the present time, and to express 1 the hopo that, their advice and ii support, as woll as the benefit of coming in the future." concluded the Minister.