TERRITORIAL FORCE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 283, 24 August 1940, Page 10

TERRITORIAL FORCE

Four Works Companies Of

Engineers

FORMATION ANNOUNCED

The Government's decision to form four composite works companies, of engineers for service with the Territorial Force should the necessity arise was announced j’esterday by the Minister of Defence, Air. Jones.

Each company, one of which will be formed in each of the Northern and Southern Alilitary Districts and two in the Central District, will consist of a headquarters, a tunnelling and demolition section, a bridging section, a general construction section, aud an excavation section, and will have a total strength of seven officers and 268 other ranks. The companies will be formed from married men between the ages of 21 and 45 years of age and single men bet weein the ages of 46 and 55 years. Each company will be organized in such a way that, should the necessity arise, its rapid expansion to form a works battalion will be facilitated, each section becoming a company.

As these units will be composed almost entirely of skilled personnel, their formation will be effected by the Army authorities in each military district, who will seek the co-operation of the district branches of the New Zealand Institute of Engineers, the New Zealand Institute of Architects, and the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors.

“As will lie seen from the organization outlined," said the Minister, “these units will be capable of carrying out any type of construction work which might become necessary. Arrangements will be made for a refresher course in the non-technical aspect of the training of the officers and n.c.O.’s selected for these companies. The training to be carried out is now under consideration, and details will be published later. It is not expected at present that attendance at camps will be required or that the training prescribed will interfere with the civil employment of those concerned. Pay for training carried out will be at the same rates as for tlie National Reserve, Class IL”