THING OF PAST

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 173, 24 July 1941, Page 6

THING OF PAST

SERVICE RIFLE

MILITARY TRAINING

SOLDIER M.P. STATES CASE

(By Telegraph.— Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day.

Added emphasis to views on the training of New Zealand's Armed Forces expressed by Mr. Cotterill (Government, Wanganui) in the Budget debate in the House of Representatives yesterday, was given by the fact that he was wearing Territorial uniform and displayed sergeant's stripes. He said that the lesson to be learned from the campaigns in Greece and Crete was that the rifle was a thing of the past and that the successful infantry of today must be equipped with automatic arms. Mr. Cotterill said that men of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force had - proved themselves worthy opponents of the enemy, and had added another chapter to the fine history of New Zealand forces of the past. Some of the cream of the youth of New Zealand had been left behind in Greece and Crete, but it was a consolation to know that approximately 80 per cent of those reported missing were considered to be prisoners of war.

"We must realise."' said Mr. Cotterill, "that the day of the singleshot service rifle, which has been regarded as the sole defence weapon of front-line soldiers, is something of the past. The successful infantrymen in warfare to-day are those equipped with automatic arms." The sooner New Zealand troops overseas and within the Dominion were so equipped the sooner would the British Empire and the Allies bring the war to a successful conclusion." Efficient Territorials Dealing with the Territorial Forces Mr. Cotterill paid a tribute to the efficiency of the men who had undergone their three months' intensive training. The men who had had Territorial training before going into camp had probably learnt more than those who had merely been in camp U> go overseas. Men of the Expeditionary Force received a certain amount of training in New Zealand and received their intensified training overseas.

'"It is necessary that these Territorials should maintain that efficiency," said Mr. Cottcrill. The Government had found it necessary to increase the strength of the Territorial Forces, and for this purpose ballots had been held, but many of the men called up had had no previous training. It had been found that on completion of the training period in camp men had not been attending subsequent parades. In \\anganui. for instance, only about 40 per cent had been attending Territorial parades, and he suggested that the Government should inflict some form of penaltv on the men who failed to fulfil" their engagements in time of war

Mr. Poison (National. Stratford): Will you apply that to the Home Guard, too? Mr. Cotterill: The Home Guard is a different proposition altogether. Home Guard Keenness Continuing. Mr. Cotterill said he admire dthe keenness oi those members of the Home Guard who did attend parades (chorus of hear hears from both sides of the House). As far as the ballotees were concerned us view was that if they had not had previous training, the threemonths they spent in camp only' put them through the recruit stage and it was necessary to give them further intensive training to bring them up to the standard of the Territorials. Referring to the men who had turned 41 and bad not reached the age of 46. Mr. Cotterill said that son c oi them were not of the type to make soldiers, and he thought that com mandants of training camps should have power to make recommendaaw B VSS k S Hg£ makJ-ildleJ? , " IC> ' " OUW not

iJn G \? a £ C t r of the Opposition. Mr Holland: What would be the wast

I thmk OUerJ,l: ° ne tO Uvo por ccnt

~ A" Opposition member- Do von think that this might lead to abuw? Mr. Cotterill .said that from his experience most men who went into t C heTife.° On rcalised tney m iiked