OFFICERS NEEDED

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 43, 21 February 1939, Page 10

OFFICERS NEEDED

ENGINEER UNITS

APPEAL TO YOUNG MEN

(Spemi to the "Evening Post.") ■ AUCKLAND, This Day. The failure of younger members of the engineering profession to support the work of the field companies of the Dominion Territorial army was criticisedby Major C. H; Beach, of Wellington. Officer Commanding the Second Field Company, Corps of New Zea. land Engineers,/in'a letter read at the annual conference of the New Zealand Institution of Engineers yesterday. He said he considered that the state of affairs reflected upon the good name of the profession. . ~The position had recently been brought home more forcibly as the result of his unsuccessful attempts to procure suitable young men to fill the vacancies for officers of the Welling-ton-unit, said Major Beach. Peace • establishment provided for six officers to, a field company, whereas the Wellington unit at-present had only four, three of whom had held commissions for eleven years or more. Not one man had come through the ranks to take a commission since the voluntary system was introduced seven years ago. ■■■■'• •••.-.■' . ■ ■ . , ■ POSITION DURING GREAT WAR. . "Many engineers have resented the fact that in the Great War many important posts were held in the field companies by men who were not engineers in civil life," Major Beach added. "In the event of the country being again forced to mobilise, it appears that the same position might develop, but in this case the profession would only have itself to blame. Our profession cannot sit back doing practically nothing in peace time and then come forward in time'of war and expect to take the plums." . Mr. W.. A. Gray (Auckland) said it W!s' possible that the Auckland comjpapy was in- a slightly better position than.the Wellington unit, but at the same time there should not be difficulty i* obtaining qualified men for gervice. . .'.!.'. " ' ' . Unfortunately the age for territorial work was also the age for examinations, and it was a big effort for a young man to work' at his profession in the daytime, study at night, and take on additional obligations such as military training. If the position were brought before .heads of departments aajd other executive officers they might be able to assist in such a manner that the. younger men could join Hie units without their lives becoming Slavery. ■ ': .; . VALUE OF TRAINING. The value of the training received ia: the field companies from a professional standpoint was pointed out by Mr. E. P. Scott "(Christchurch). He said he regarded the work as most useful and profitable. "The idea that there are difficulties and that the training interferes with a young engineer's work is all bunk," said Mr. F. W. Furkert (Wellington). "If,/they only knew the fun they would get out of it they would not hesitate. They are standing in their own light and losing opportunities to broaden their minds and their knowledge." SUPPORT URGED. Oh the motion of Mr. Gray, a resolution was carried urging support of the Territorial units and recommending Senior znembers of the profession to facilitate and encourage young quali- , fied engineers to join the engineer companies with a view to their qualifying Ipr commissioned rank. It was also decided to inform branches 'Of the institution that, in the opinion of the conference, it was their duty to ensure that the military units were fully manned with efficient officers.

An assurance of full co-operation with the authorities in meeting the defence requirements of the Dominion was contained in a unanimous resolution carried at the conference. It was considered that members of the profession we.re particularly fitted for meeting the problems associated with civil organisation.