DEFENCE LIAISON

Evening Star, Issue 21641, 9 February 1934, Page 14

DEFENCE LIAISON

INTERCHANGE OF OFFICERS |Per United Press Association.') AUCKLAND, February 8. A further indication of tiro close cooperation now existing between the Commonwealth Government and the New Zealand Government in defence matters is contained in the announcement made by the Minister of Defence (Mr Cobbe) that Major N. W. M‘D. Weir, general staff officer for military training in the dominion, bad received orders to sail for Australia by the Monowai for military work in Australia. In turn, the Commonwealth Government will detail an officer bolding qualifications similar to those held by Major Weir for service in New Zealand. The Minister stated that the sending of Major Weir to Australia was in conformity with the policy of extending, wherever possible, the close liaison between the military forces of the dominion and Australia. The Government bad concurred in the proposal of the Commonwealth Government that an interchange of officers should take place during the present camp training period in both countries. Mr Cobbe said that no advice bad yet been received of the name of the Australian Staff Corps officer who had, been selected for duty in New Zealand, but the information was expected within the next few days. “ The interchange of officers for duty,” remarked Mr Cobbe, “ will be a distinct advantage to the military forces in New Zealand. It will be of value to compare the training results obtained and the methods employed in a larger force raised under somewhat similar conditions to those pertaining to the dominion.”