DEFENCE REORGANISATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 150, 26 June 1943, Page 6

DEFENCE REORGANISATION

REDUCED MOBILISED ARMY

RELIEF FOR THE HOME GUARD

Plaiis; which will result in a considerable reduction in New Zealand's Mobilised Army so that men will be made available for the expansion, of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and also for release to war industries were announced today by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser)i ; Another important feature of the plans is a substantial reduction in the present training- of the Home Guard. Members of the Home Guard are to be allotted a reserve role and are now to parade one day every quarter. : •/' ..i i . ■ ' ..■"....

The Prime;' Minister stated *hat War Cabinet, acting on the advice of the Chiefs of.'-Staff, had decided on a reduction of« the mobilised Army in New Zealand, and other adjustments in the Fighting Services to meet the changed situation in the Pacific: It would be remembered, that on May 20 and 21 Parliament had held a secret session, ivhen the.pdjminion's naval, Army, and Air Force-commitments and activities, as well as civil defence and industrial requirements in relation to man and woman: power, were fully discussed. ': 1, ■ ' "As regards home defence," continued the Prime Minister, "War Cabinet has cdmie to the conclusion that it is possible to readjust defence plans s< that a considerable reduction can be made in^tht? mobilised . army , .thus making available men required tor the exp.Kfion; of the Roy. i N^w Zealand Air Force/ and also allow the return of other .'men to industries connected with-our wa> effort . ' A TERRITORIAL ARMY. "The Army reorganisation will provide a Territorial. Army,'a portion of which will Ihe mobilised, this ■ being essential £of the manning of the coast and anti-aircraft artillery, the administration and training of the Territorial Army as a whole, and also for the proper: care and maintenance of the large amount of war equipment, stores, and' transport vehicles. The a-emainder of the Territorial Force will be held 6n" a non-mobilised basis, the personnel being required to perform training "arid be kept in a state of readiness' for remobilisation should the necessity arise. "The personnel for the non-mobilised portion of the Territorial Army will be draw.n. from men in the following classes.'-^ »•. •, "(a,) Single men and married men ■without children of medical grades I and II between the ages of 18 and 40 inclusive^ : ' * "(b) Matf ied men with not more than three children, grades I and II between the ages] of 18 and 30 inclusive. "In selecting these- men regard will be paid toihe individual circumstances of each 'man, including particularly:— "(a) Availability for service in the event of,■ emergency; "(b) Availability for withdrawal from industry for one month's camp training. ;per annum. ' "(c) 'Availability for, periodical parades in-view of hours worked, location, etc; '{■ . "On reaching the upper age limit for service* in the Territorial Army men will be posted to "the reserve and •will notcairry, out any further training, unlessC such is subsequently prescribed, but they will be liable to be called u6 for service on mobilisation or if liable! for overseas service. ■ "The anitual obligatory training to, be performed by non-mobilised per-

sonnel is to be one month in camp and two whole day parades each month. "Youths of J8 years of age becoming liable for service in non-mobilised units will be required to undergo one month's recruit-training in camp be-, fore being posted to a unit. Those, who have completed one month's camp training, or six months' Home! Guard service, ov such service in a secondary school cadet unit . oonsid I ered as equivalent to one month's camp training will be exempted from the month's recruit training. ■ "In order to maintain the mobilised section at full strength youths will be called up for full-time home sere vice on attaining the' age of 20. . "Personnel required for overseas service will continue to be drawn from men .between the ages of 21 and 40 indus.ve and all men within (hose ages. whether mobilised or noti will be liable tor. overseas service. Those not mobilised will, of course, not be .ordered into camp until they are made available to the Army by the National Service Department, i.e., after any appeals have, been disposed: of. ' THE HOME GUARD. ."It is considered that the military situation does not necessitate the present intensive training and degree of readiness of the Home Guard, and it is now possible to give considerable relief to this large body of men, who have been animated by a splendid spirit of service and have displayed great enthusiasm in their training. ■ "It has therefore been decided that .the Home Guard can now be allotted a reserve role as from July 1., "In every respect the Home Guard will, retain, its identity and organisation. A reduced staff will be retained, and all uniforms, personal equipment, and rifles will .remain on issue1 to the Home Guardsmen, so that units will be ready to resume full-scale training if this should be necessary. ■ ONE FULL-DAY PARADE. "Members of the Home Guard will be required to attend one compulsory iull-daj parade of six hours every quarter. ■ ' ' ' \ : "At these parades, rolls and equipment will be inspected and checked, the remainder of.the time being devoted to the carrying out of an annual musketry course. "To encourage Home Guardsmen to improve their shooting ah issue of ammunition will be made to units for voluntary additional range practices. "Now that training has been reduced, it is desired* that all units—especially in the cities and, the laiger townswill continue active in the interests of the national war effort in such direction as may be required from 'time to time, particularly in organised work , for the' production of foodstuffs in the forthcoming season." '