WAR COUNCIL

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 9, 10 July 1940, Page 8

WAR COUNCIL

WORK REVIEWED

WIDE ACTIVITIES

THE COUNTRY'S EFFORT

A tribute to the good work of the War Council and the many helpful recommendations it had made, was paid today by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), who outlined some of the matters that had engaged the Council's attention. "The War Council," he said, "is maintaining a vigorous oversight of the national war effort, and composed as it is of representatives of all sections of the community, it will* I am sure, continue to render very valuable service to the Dominion and the Government."

The Prime Minister continued that the War Council had given very close attention to all the matters referred to it, and had indeed given the fullest opportunity to investigate every aspect of the country's defences. Many recommendations had been submitted to Cabinet, a number of which were of a secret nature and could not, of course, be disclosed. Some, however, were of public interest, and others were routine matters of interest to those responsible for the administration of various portions of the war effort. All the recommendations had been approved by Cabinet, arid the necessary action to give effect to them had either been-taken or was now in the process of being taken. Cabinet approval had, for- example, been given to the recommendation that wherever it was possible or desirable New Zealand should supply to the United Kingdom any surplus of clothing or other equipment locally produced for use in equipping the United Kingdom -forces.

Another recommendation endorsed was that the Fortress Battalions should if possible do their final month of training in camp, and that any deficiency in the numbers required for these battalions should be made up by accepting ex-Territorials.

Should circumstances permit, it had been agreed that» following the completion of the three 'months' course the future training programme of the Territorial Force should consist of one full day's training per month; fourteen days' camp per annum; and the firing of the prescribed musketry course.

The formation of mounted rifle units for hilly country operations was approved, and it was decided that recruitments should be confined to married men between the ages of 25 and 55, and single men between the ages of 45 and 55, preference being given to returned soldiers, ex-Territorials, members of rifle clubs, and deer stalkers. -.. .NAVAL ENLISTMENTS. Another recommendation that voluntary enlistment for the New Zealand Naval Forces be allowed to continue for the normal long-Service as well as other requirements which might be approved by the Minister of Defence was also agreed to.

As a result of another recommendation, the re-registration of all rifles and' revolvers is to be immediately undertaken.

The subject list of topics discussed by the Council revealed the thoroughness with which the Council was attending to its duties. These topics, continued the Prime Minister, included: — Training programme for officers and men of the Second N.Z.E.F.; supply of clothing and equipment to the military, forces; supply of small arms ammunition as well as ammunition of other calibres; fuel oil supplies and reserves for the three Services; arrangements for the medical treatment and hospital care of sick and injured members .of the forces; utilisation of the canteen funds; programme of training and incidental matters connected with the Home, Defence forces; air training programme and associated matters, such as personnel, supply, training; coast watching organisation and the action taken by the Government regarding vital points; consideration of the units required in mobilisation; naval programme and incidental matters —supply, personnel, munitions, etc.; treatment of aliens; registration of firearms, rifles and revolvers; progress of New Zealand mission in Australia; and co-operation with Australia. OTHER QUESTIONS. Action taken ,by the Government concerning the training programme of the N.Z.E.F., the Home Defence forces, measures taken to provide preventive medical treatment, supply arrangements for the Air Lorce, the educational programme in connection with the air training scheme, the steps taken for the protection of vital points, action taken since the outbreak of war to deal with enemy aliens, the measures taken to deal with subversion and a number of other matters had all been endorsed.