ESSENTIAL UNIT

Evening Star, Issue 23554, 18 April 1940, Page 7

ESSENTIAL UNIT

MINISTER PRAISES TERRITORIAL ASSOCIATION NECESSARY FOR HOME DEFENCE BASIS OF OVERSEAS FORGE “ This association is doing its port in the war effort. It is more essential now than ever before, and one cannot but express great appreciation of the work of the women’s committee. I agree with everything your president has said. His words, ‘ln the stress of war and .the claims of the expeditionary force it is apt to be forgotten that_ a strong and well-trained Territorial Force is needed for.home defence,’ are particularly true.” These constitute some of the essential highlights in the remarks of the Minister of Defence (Hon, F. Jones) in an address to the annual meeting of the Territorial Association of Otago yesterday afternoon. In the expansion and maintenance of the Second Expeditionary Force the Territorials had played a great part, he said, and it was necessary to have an, up-to-date force for the protection of New Zealand. Developments in connection with the war made us wonder just what the next move of the brutal aggressor would be. New Zealand had promised an Expeditionary Force, for our fate depended on the fate of Great Britain. The Minister went on to refer to the splendid work the association, with others of a like nature throughout the country, was performing, and he also paid a tribute to the great body > of women working within those organisations who were taking an interest _ m the boys. “ I hope during the coming year that those people who have not responded in the past 12 months will realise the necessity to do so and respond. UVe may all be called upon to take an active part in the defence of this country before it is all finished, he said. _ Mr 1 Jones said they all realised that the Territorial Force had expanded into the Expeditionary Force, and he then went on to quote figures relative to the strength of the Territorials and the numbers of officers and men of other ranks from that body, who had enlisted with the. various echelons for service overseas. The Territorial Forces for the whole of New Zealand during 1939 were 977 officers .and 14,706 other ranks. This had .been achieved'by the enthusiasm of the Territorial Associations. At March last there were 999 officers and 15,387 men, of other ranks, and this despite ,678 officers and 2.500 other ranks transferring to the Second Expeditionary Force. It must be remembered, he said, that a large proportion of the Territorials were under 21, and ,he ho:ped that when they were able these young men would enlist for service overseas. At the outbreak of war a large number of Territorials were mobilised for coastal defence work, etc., and they had done a good spot of work. They had been relieved by others, and when the opportunity came he hoped they would enlist. ■Reverting to the Territorials’ strength, •the Minister said some 49 officers and 79 other ranks had enlisted from the Otago Regiment. At the outbreak of wpr a small force had been sent overseas to a certain place, he continued. They would have to he relieved, and preference would be given to coastal defence Territorials. The Minister went on to refer to the amount of time that had been occupied by' the Government and staff officers on Expeditionary Force matters, and also to the huge war bill. Drill halls were mostly big barns in appearance, but if possible something would be done to brighten them up. However, in the meantime if the Territorial Associations carried on that would be so much'to the good. '