STRENGTHENING OF FORCES

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 1 May 1934, Page 5

STRENGTHENING OF FORCES

* _— NEW UNITS PLANNED OUTLINE BY MINISTER. it, Teleg- pn—Press Association AUCKLAND, April 30. Officers and men of the Territorial Defence Forces are to benefit - greatly from the adoption by the Government of plans to strengthen the forces formulated’ by the General Officer Commanding the New Zealand r Forces (Major-General Sir- W. L. H. SinelairBurgess). Particulars of the plans decided on were made known 'by 'the Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe) while addressing the Auckland Officers’ Club to-night.

Men of coast defence batteries will be required to spend a longer period in camp on pay and rations. Territorials on parade will receive pay for the whole, period of home training, equal to that given for camp training. Additional wcok-end courses are to commenced, for which rations and transport will be provided Local authorities controlling tramway systems have been asked to consider granting territorials travelling concessions. A serviceable pair of boots for use at drills, parades and in camp will be issued to each territorial. Sashes are to be issued to sergeants and staff sergeants of infantry units. Commanding officers visiting camps of other units are to receive travelling warrants and out of pocket expenses. The scheme provides also for the formation of certain new territorial units, one additional platoon per rifle company to be formed, and a mortar platoon to be added to each machinegun company. AIRCRAFT OF NEW DESIGN. The Minister gave further details of the development of the air forces, involving the purchase of aircraft of the latest design, the enlistment of specialist personnel for the maintenance of the machines and the construction of hangars, workshops and quarters for the men at the two ail* stations at Auckland and Christchurch.

“The proposals will shortly be put info effect,” said the Minister. “The *oast defences are to be strengthened oy the purchase of neAV equipment. Anti-aircraft equipment is being obtained for the two larger centres. These Additions ivill necessitate the formation of neiv territorial units. That is unfortunate to this extent that it will Increase the strain on the tAvo larger lilies already called upon to provide so many units. I. haA'e every confidence, however, that tho men required AA r ill jo forthcoming. “It has been approved that the coast defence batteries are to carry out slightly more training than the rest of file territorial force, the period being 10 days in camp with rations and pay ind the equivalent of a longer period jf home training made up of evening and daylight parades.

“To encourage the attendance of ;erritorials at parades other than in. •amp the Governmeiit proposes to give payment for tliis Avork. It will be allotted in certain proportions to each ’veiling and each daylight parade. Where men are a Available one addifional troop per mounted rifle squadron and one additional platoon per •ifie company may be formed. In order :o conform to the general organisation, if the British Army a mortar platoon is to be added to each existing mall ine-gun company. APPEAL TO EMPLOYERS. “There lias been disappointment ill not getting the full strength of units into camps,” added the Minister. “I realise this is largely due to economic conditions. 1 would like to make _ a special appeal to employers to assist is in every Avav they can, and par.icularlv by giving leave for their ernjloyees to attend camps. “As regards the Air Force, the Government lias not lost sight of this branch of the service in the defence of the Dominion, and has provided for i parallel increase in the air arm. J'wo flights of bomber reconnaissance aircraft have already been ordered. The aircraft ivill be used for co-opera-:ion Avith the coast defence batteries for extended seaAA’ard reconnaissance and- for the defence of trade in local waters. Strengthening of the Royal Xew Zealand Air Force will in itse.lf enable the Noaa- Zealand Air Foice territorial) to be put on a more satisactorv basis. In addition provision has been made for the equipment of fiiis branch of the Air Force with airraft of the ‘advanced trainer’ type'. These machines Avill enable all forms of service training to be carried out. These machines are also eminently .uitable for co-operation ivith military formations during peace training m the Dominion.” .