NEW UNITS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 236, 4 October 1940, Page 4

NEW UNITS.

I ■ I J TERRITORIAL FORCE. ' PROMOTION OPPORTUNITIES. WELLINGTON, this day. Xew units of the Territorial Force are beincr formed in accordance with the expansion programme decided upon .some time ago. An announcement to this effect was made to-day by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, who said that sti'])ri were also being taken to train | officers and XX'.O.'s for six new battalions in the three military districts and a I*o far another battalion of the Scottish Regiment. Opportunity would bo given to suitable men who had already undergone training to gain promotion in the new units. The Minister also announced a scheme for maintaining the efficiency of men who had already undergone intensive training in the Territorial Force. "With the completion of camp training this week by the Ist Battilicn of the Auckland Raiment (C.R.0.), Ist Battalion of the Wellington Regiment (C.W.0.) and Ist Battalion of the Canterbury Regiment, the first phase of the intensive scheme for the training of the Territorial Force has been completed," said Mr. Jonee. "These battalions commenced their intensive training in June. They have now reached a standard of efficiency whicli will fit them to carry out their war role in the defence of New Zealand should they" be called upon to do so. Future Training Programme. '"In order to maintain the benefit of the training received, it has been decided, subject to review early next year, that the future training programme for the Territorial Force, after completion of the period of intensive training, shall consist of the equivalent of one day's training per month, and parades to fire weapon courees, and, in addition, 14 days' camp training per annum." Dealing with the expansion programme, tke Minister said a start had been made with the formation of some new units. Among others there were to be formed six new battalions of infantry, two in each of the Northern and Central Districts, and one In the Southern District. In addition it had been decided to form a second battalion of the Scottish Regiment. The present Scottish Battalion detachments were in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. These were now in camp. Under the new organisation the detachments in the North Island would form the nucleus of the let Battalion, and those in the South Island the nucleus of the 2nd Battalion Scottish Regiment. Selection of Officers. "Steps are now being taken to select, organise and train officers and noncommissioned officers for theee new units," said the Minister. "A proportion of the officers and N.C.O.'s required is being selected from those units which have already completed their intensive training. Thie will provide the nucleus of trained personnel for the news units, I and will enable many men who have i proved suitable for higher rank to be given promotion. The remaining vacancies will be filled by officers on the active and reserve lists of the Territorial Force and th e National Military Reserve. These officers and N.C.O.'s will shortly commence two months' training to fit them to take over and train their units, the rank and file for which will be found from balloted men, and their camp training will- commence early in January next. There are other new units to be formed in various arms of the service und further particulars regarding these will be given at a later stage, when the preliminary organisation has been completed."—(Parliamentary Reporter.) j