FUTURE ROLE OF N.Z. LAND FORCES

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24369, 22 September 1944, Page 4

FUTURE ROLE OF N.Z. LAND FORCES

2nd Division To Stay Overseas

LONG-SERYICE MEN TO BE REPLACED

WELLINGTON, September 21,

WELLING I .ON, beptemoer zl An announcement that New Zealand will no longer maintain tw* divisions, and that men of the 3rd Division and men held on appeal will be used to reinforce and replace long-service men m the 2nd Division, was made in the House of Representatives to-night by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser). Mr Fraser also amaounced that the commander of the 2nd Division, Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, was making a good recovery from his injuries and would be returning to the 2nd Division in about a month.

“As a result of the Quebec conference and of advice just received i from Mr Churchill,” Mr Fraser said, “it is now possible to come to a decision regarding the role of our armed forces in the remaining phases • of the war agaiftst Germany and Japan, and for a decision to be made- 7 regarding the disposition of New Zealand forces overseas. The War ■ Cabinet has had this questioir under continual examination, and it has , also been the subject of discussions with both the British and American i Chiefs of Staff, as well as with Mr Churchill.

“Since the beginning of the year it has been agreed that New Zealand cannot maintain two divisions overseas and at the same time increase production of foodstuffs and raw materials which are urgently needed and are so essential for the United Kingdom, and for Allied forces in the Pacific. “In the light of Quebec decisions, and in view of developments in Europe and the Pacific, it has been decided, therefore, that New Zealand land forces at the present time can be of the greatest use in Italy, and that the 2nd Division should remain overseas until the conclusion of the Italian campaign, after which its future role will again be examined. “It may be necessary at a later stage to give consideration to the question of making New Zealand land forces available in the war against Japan. Meanwhile, however, personnel of the 3rd Division now ih camp,-'and -those due to return to camp bri the expiration of leave, will be drafted to district mobilisation, camps, .where they will become available for posting to the 2nd Division.

three years or more by others who; have not so far had an opportunity to; serve, or who have had only a snort 1 period- overseas. - *“The replacement drafts from New Zealand will comprise in the first place men remaining in the 3rd Division who are fit and of the required age and domestic status, and grade A men held on appeal as soon as they can be released, and all others liable ■> for military service, including •men'' . from- the 3rd Division temporarily re--' leased to industry earlier in the year who remain liable to be called up for -overseas service. “The policy of replacement will take , the place- of the furlough scheme in future, and as thb men become available for sending overseas the various reinforcements swill be returned in succession, and also men of the Ist, , 2nd and 3rd Echelons who returned • to the Middle East at the conclusion „ of their furlough. ' “It must be made .clear that under ; the replacement scheme men who return to New - Zealand will be released- . from military service and.directed into essential industry. This direction is necessary so long as the war lasts, for two reasons: first, to enable the scheme - , of industrial replacement to be car- ■ • ried out, namely, the substitution of , men in essential industry now held back for military service by those of :> similar skill who have returned from overseas; and, second, to enable New . Zealand to continue to produce the foodstuffs and raw. materials which are so essential a contribution to,our own and the United Nations* war effort. .

“Because of the developments and decisions to which 1 1 have referred, it is now possible to make arrangements for the introduction of a scheme for the replacement of long-service personnel in the 2nd Division. I discussed this question with General Freyberg while I was in Italy, and it has been thoroughly examined since, and details are now being worked out; The object of this scheme is progressively to relieve men who have beeir overseas for