Cheeseparing On Army Logistics

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30310, 10 December 1963, Page 16

Cheeseparing On Army Logistics

The reorganisation of the New Zealand Army to include logistic units, announced by the Minister of Defence (Mr Eyre), was forecast in the last annual report of the Chief of the General Staff (MajorGeneral L. W. Thornton). Major - General Thornton said a study was being made of the organisation, for a New Zealand force overseas in time of war, of the comprehensive support that had been provided by the United Kingdom in the past. When relative defence commitments, in both money and men, are assessed, no-one in New Zealand can criticise Britain for shedding this particular burden. But the new obligation does impose a heavy new task upon the New Zealand Army; and it is dismaying to find that, according to Mr Eyre, the Cabinet has decided it must be tackled within the present authorised establishment. This decision brings into question the adequacy of the contemplated logistic force. The ratio of administrative to operational forces does not necessarily determine the efficiency of a support organisation. The Americans, for instance, are said to be much more generous in this respect than the British. But it is

possible to be cheeseparing with logistic support at the expense of efficient administration; and without efficient administration, the power, well-being, and, indeed, the security of operational troops must be impaired. The Cabinet’s proviso implies either an inadequate logistics base or a heavy reduction in an operational force that is already small enough for New Zealand’s obligations under the 5.E.A.T.0., A.N.Z.U.S., and A.N.Z.A.M. mutual aid pacts. The Minister “ hopes ” to co-ordinate New Zealand’s logistic activities with those of our major allies. It is difficult to reconcile the degree of dependence that this implies with his statement that the reorganisation of the Army will include “for “ the first time the logistic “or ‘base’ units which are “ necessary to enable a “ force to operate overseas “ as an independent national “ force ”, which will provide “not only the trained “ men, but also their “ vehicles, weapons, cloth“ing, food, equipment, and “ the organisation needed to “transport and look after “ them ”. On the face of it, the Minister’s explanation suggests that New Zealand is looking for a cheap way of replacing the administrative services formerly given by Britain.