N.Z. TERRITORIALS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1939, Page 5

N.Z. TERRITORIALS

FORCE MAY BE DOUBLED. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, April 17. "It is probably known to all you gentlemen here." said Colonel IL C. Hurst, to the executive committee of the Territorial Association to-night, “that our territorial establishments are likely to bo greatly increased as a result, of the conference now being held in Wellington. We may receive

a notification in a few days that the units are to he doubled." Defence week, which was to have been held in Christchurch before and after Anzac Day, has been postponed until more definite information concerning the size of the territorial establishment in New- Zealand has been received from the Defence Department. Members expected that an important statement on this subject would be made when the report of the defence conference in Wellington was made public. Considerable dissatisfaction was expressed with the size of the present territorial establishment. The opinion was expressed by Mr. W. R. Lascelles that the Government should be asked to make public whether and when it proposed to increase the size of its forces. The waiting lists, which some units had. meant either that those in high places were not aware of present dangers, or that there were too many territorials in the country. There was no use carrying on with their campaign if the young men were being turned away from the barracks. Mi'. J. B. Mawson suggested that the association should ask for the permission of the Government to proceed with building up an organisation to evacuate cities and ports in the event of an emergency as might result from a raid. A voluntary register would facilitate the organisation of the community. He further stated that a defence force of 9000 men was based on the assumption that an expeditionary force for service overseas would ■ not bo required. It Britain was fulls’ extended in Europe ami Japan engaged in the China/ conflict, it might well be possible and necessary to send such a. force overseas.

It was agreed that a deputation should wait on the Minister for Defence (.Mr. Jones) to discuss this matter. Disappointment with trie growth of the association’s membership was expressed by Messrs. R. 11. Livingstone and J. L. Hay. The response to the rallies and meetings was very poor in the towns. There were four times the number of members in the country. Magnificent support, however, had been given by big city firms.

OTAGO OPINION. DUNEDIN. April 17. “This annual general meeting of members of the Territorial Association of Otago, although appreciating the response of recruits to local units, is of the opinion that the international situation justifies the. Government, in reinstating the New Zealand defence forces to the 1911 basis of organisation of units, and urges the Minister for Defence favourably to consider recruiting the old units up to pre-war establishment. It. is of opinion that such action would largely assist the recruiting campaign, and would encourage officers and other ranks in the service- they render io the State.” That was the text of a motion carried unanimously by the annual meeting to-day of the. Territorial Association of Otago.