TERRITORIALS.
IMPOSING STRENGTH.
DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND.
WELLINGTON, this day.
When the Territorial Force is at full strength there will be, with other units and the National Military Reserve, 44,048 troops in New Zealand, and by March 31 next 25,985 of them will have had three months' training, according to -figures given by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, when discussing the cost of the war in the House of Representatives last night.
The Minister said that at the outbreak of war there were 16,000 territorials, a large number of whom supplied the expeditionary force, and it was decided to bring them up to a war establishment of 25,985. There were 9572 men in additional unite and 8491 in the National Military Reserve, making the total number 44,048.
The finding or accommodation and training and equipping of the men in camp had been a big expense, continued the Minister, who said it cost just over £30 to equip a soldier, clothing costing £17 5/ and equipment £12 17/. Food was also a big item. Ten thousand men in camp* consumed per day 12,2501b bread, 15,0001b meat, 25001b butter, 1250 gallons milk, 25001b sugar, 10,0001b potatoes, and 50001b vegetables.
Mr. Holland (National, Ohmtchurch) What does it cost per day?
The Minister: Between 1/6 and 1/0 for three meals, but not more than 1/9.
Mr. Holland: Do you think the men are any fitter than the men in the laet war?
The Minister: I cannot say anything about that, but I think the men to-day measure up to the men in the last war.
Mr. Jones went on to say that at present there were 11,000 men going into camp for three months' training. They would help to provide a splendid defence force for the Dominion.
In reply to Mr. Poison (National, Stratford), who criticised the eite of Waiouru camp, the Minister said that the general opinion was that it was a most healthy place. It was the base headquarters for New Zealand, and was selected by experts after much consideration. Most of the training of territorials would not be done in the winter months. In that camp it would be done in spring and autumn. —(Parliamentary Reporter.^
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Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 236, 4 October 1940, Page 3
Word Count
366TERRITORIALS. Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 236, 4 October 1940, Page 3
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