DEFENCE REDUCTIONS.

Grey River Argus, 18 March 1922, Page 4

DEFENCE REDUCTIONS.

STAFF AND PERSONNEL CUT DY 1055. One of the most favoured targets when the question of retrenchment is discussed is the defence system. From enquiry, it appears (says the “Dominion”), drastic retrenchment hits oeen effected in the Defence Department, the duties of which are stated to be ’till more extensive than in pre-war days. Taking the Royal New Zealand Artillery, for instance: Before the war this branch numbered 315, and today has been reduced to 100, all of whom are permanently enlisted soldier This arm of the service nas to instruct the Citizen Army (t«e Territorials), and the artillery units, provide the technical personnel for the care and maintenance of the electric ’ights and artillery armaments for coastal defence, a«nd small detachments are located all over the Dom-

inion wherever artillery or territorals units exist. Most of the reduc:ion has been mer by absorbing the men into tlie ordnance section.

In 1919, the ordnance section numSered 532. and has now been reduced to 100. Th eh? are ordnance depots at ~nd, Trentham, and Burnham, J while a small detachment is at pres- ■ ?nt at Featherston, which is being emporarily used as an ordnance depot mtil it can be demolished and proper lepots provided in the Auckland district. This branch was instituted durng the war, its chief duty being to take charge of, and account for, the equipment and issue to the tJoepa of military stores. The civil staff, which stood at 520 in 1919, has been reduced to 95. Altogether the total' reduction in per sonnel works out at 1055, as compared with the 1919 figures.