TERRITORIAL FORCE

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LX, Issue 91, 17 November 1939, Page 2

TERRITORIAL FORCE

♦ HIGH STATE OF EFFICIENCY NEW IZEALANDERS KEENLY ENTHUSIASTIC With so much overseas war news, with the public keenly fol-lowiing-^and rightly so—the training of the New Zealand Special Force, the Territorials are not so much in the news as they were a year ago. Yet, this important link in the chain of the Dominion's defences has never before been in such a healthy condition. With practically every unit up to the required strength, the matter of securing recruits has long since ceased to be a problem. Further, the men who have come in during €he past year have been of an exceptionally fine type and they have quickly absorbed the keen spirit and enthusiasm of the older members of the units. Despite the war, scheduled training has been followed. In a number of cases, some re-arrangements were necessary, but in no case has the training been allowed to suffer. To-day, the organisation behind the Territorial Forces is so complete that arrangements are being made for events months aliead. And, although a large number of officers and non-commissioned officers have enlisted in the Special Force, their departure has made it possible to promote men from the various units. This matter was anticipated and arrangements were made to select suitable men for promotion. Thus, no loss of efficiency has occurred. People in various centres are maintaining interest in the Territorial Forces in many practical ways. The Territorial Associations are doing fine work and have, in many cases, organised social functions for local Territorials. It is hoped that the war will encourage People to take ,an even greater Interest in the Territorial Forces as every territorial is doing important work in the defence of this country.