‘Guerrilla War Is Only N.Z. Defence’

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30602, 19 November 1964, Page 1

‘Guerrilla War Is Only N.Z. Defence’

(From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH, November IS. Guerrilla warfare was the only means by which New Zealand could be defended from a seaborne attack, the Chief of the General Staff (Major-General L. \V. Thornton) said in Greymouth today. Such warfare would inflict considerable losses on an enemy but it would also have terrible consequences on the communitv.

Major-General Thornton said he was concerned at the numerical level of the permanent Army. Why recruiting was not going better was difficult to assess, but he agreed that pay and conditions must play a part. “1 am seriously worried over the level of regular manpower, he said, but added that New Zealand was in a position now, to meet fully its commitments.

On co-operation between the three services in New Zealand, Major - General Thornton said that the Air Force was indispensible in making an exercise such as “Te Rauparaha” authentic. With the Navy it was a matter of the two services being separate entities, having different jobs to do and requiring little liaison. New Zealand was in a difficult position in equipping its Army, especially in clothing. It involved double expense. Equipment used in New Zealand for wet weather was not suitable for Southeast Asian conditions, which required hot-weather clothing. The Army was planning for the provision of new lightweight equipment, which would be manufactured in New Zealand and which would be light, strong, durable and warm. He said it would not be fair to compare the clothing of the Loyals and the New Zealand forces, when asked to comment on the New Zealand soldiers reported envy of the United Kingdom troops’ clothing. The Loyals were specially equipped for the exercise and their clothing was not common to all British forces. Commenting on the exercise “Te Rauparaha," Major-

General Thornton said it had been a magnificent test of the individual and a great builder of self-confidence and self-control. “After all. what every soldier should have.”