OLDER ARMY OFFICERS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23858, 29 January 1943, Page 6

OLDER ARMY OFFICERS

J RELEASE FROM e SERVICE 1 g NEW POLICY EXPLAINED - (P.A.) . WELLINGTON, January 28. ■ A statement outlining the present 4 policy in connexion with Army officer ■ personnel was made to-day by the Min--2 ister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), r in reply to points raised by the “Even- ■ ing Post.” These related to the ques- ■ tion of pruning the existing officer 1 strength and the retirement of older J officers. * Mr Jones-said the Army authorities 4 had under consideration the necessary J adjustments to meet the changing con--4 ditions in the war situation. As the } shortage of officers had been reduced, i the time allotted for officer cadet train- : > ing units had been increased, and the B training made more intensive and 1 thorough. With a change for the better in the 1 Pacific and the temporary release of 3 large numbers of men'from the Army s for urgent seasonal work, the proportion of officers to men had become somewhat unbalanced. The condition 2 was not unwelcome in a way, as it had 2 presented an opportunity for releasing £. p proportion of £enipr officers to go to F the* J Staff - Colleger, the New Zealand * Tactical School, and the Armoured 2 Fighting Vehicle School, and for many ; junior officers to receive advanced ■ training at Army and district schools . of instruction, all of which training ! establishments had included''on their , staffs instructors with experience of . the present war. 3 Another advantage was that during 3 the absence of those officers at schools I of instruction, the officers remaining t with the units got opportunities of : exercising command and performing - duties in higher appointments, which i was a valuable experience. > With the return of officers from war service and the general improvement and qualification for promotion of the middle rank of younger officers as a ; result of continuous service, it was possible to reduce the upper age limits ■ for officers to a level more in keeping with the strenuous necessities of con- ; tmuous or active service, thus follow* * j n g the practice common in all armies in war time of giving young men every 1 opportunity. Many officers released from full-time f service had taken up appointments in 1 the Home Guard, where their services ■ had proved invaluable. As others ' were released it was hoped they too would continue their service in the ! Home Guard.