TERRITORIAL FORCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 4827, 23 August 1937, Page 3

TERRITORIAL FORCE.

TRAINING IN THE OPEN •The Government’s proposals for the reorganisation of the Territorial Force were announced on Saturday by the Minister of liefence, Hon. F. Jones. More intensive use of mechanised equipment and training in the open will 'be distinctive features of the reorganised system. Revised methods of control are proposed, together with a thorough reorganisation of the machinery of the Defence Department. The issue of a more attractive uniform to territorials is under consideration. “A' thorough reorganisation of the ward on up-to-date lines . so that upon by the Government,” said Mr Jones. “It is proposed to go forward on up-to-date lnes so that 1 the best possible results may be obtained for the expenditure on establishing an efficient system. The present voluntary basis will be retained. “A greater use of mechanised equipment and training in the open will be distinctive features of the reorganised, system. The maximum effort will be concentrated on field training. In this way the physical benefits, as well as military efficiency, cannot fail to be progressive and effective. “Revised methods of control are proposed, together with a thorough reorganisation of the machinery of the Defence Department. These do not involved any fundamental change in policy. It is largely a matter of bringing the system of command into line with that now in force in Great Britain and in the other Dominions. Certain units of the Territorial Force will be amalgamated, the aim being to organise the force as an efficient land unit, including the manning of coastal and other equipment. “The responsible advisory body will be the of Defence, constituted as follows: Chairman, the Prime Minister; members, the Minister of Defence, such other members as may ,be appointed by the Prime Minister, Chief of the Naval Staff, Chief of the General Staff, Chief of the Air Staff, Secretary. “This council will be responsible for advising the Government on broad matters of policy, and for co-ordinating the work of the three services in the direction of securing a high standard of efficiency and co-operation. “Each of the three services—sea, land and air—will in turn be controlled by a board which, in the case of the Territorial Force, will consist of: President, the Minister of Defence; first member, Chief of the General Staff; second member, Adjutant and Quartermaster-Gen-eral; third member, the Army Secretary. “Under , this system, a general simplification of appointments and organisation, both at Army Headquarters and 'in the three commands or military districts, will be carried out. “The Government will be entirely responsible for policy and for the provision and control of the funds to carry out its policy. “A more beneficial and effective system of training will be adopted. Instead df a series of night parades which suffer the obvious disadvantages of indoor drill and instruction at a time when young men have already done their day’s work, week-end parades will be held. These will take the form of bivouac in the open, using motor transport. “Conditions of such training will be adequate in respect of pay, rations, accommodation, and transport. The same principle will be followed at the annual camps, which it 'is intended to hold at Easter, as far as may be practicable. In addition, every territorial will have the opportunity of attending up-to-date courses where he will receive training full of varied interest with scope for doing something worth while. For these courses, pay, rations, and free travelling 'will be provided. “As far as coastal defence is concerned, it is proposed to enrol a number of men for a continuous period of three months. This should give young men an opportunity to become thoroughly conversant with the latest equipment. Incidentally, too, this proposal should be particularly valuable to those who,'because of seasonal conditions, may desire to undertake a long period of training without interrupting their normal activities. “With a view to improving the standard of training, it is proposed to provide a school for the higher training of senior territorial officers and instructors; also district schools for the training of officers, warrant officers, and N.C.O.’s, and men taking up special subjects. “The collective training of units will consist of six days’ annual . " camp (10 days in the case of coast artillery) ; four week-end parades, each of two days; and a six days’ course of instruction. It is proposed a grant pay for attendance at courses of instruction. “For training purposes during annual camps, certain units, at present under strength, will be grouped to form one unit at full strength. As a result selected officers of all ranks will be given opportunity to command full-strength units and sub-units, not a skeleton force as at present. In each military district the fortress battalion will be retained at full strength and three mounted rifles and three infantry battalions will be grouped to form one composite M.R. regiment and one composite battalion respectively. “There is no question of drop--ping the identity of the present

territorial units,” continued the Minister. “Badges, colours, regimental alliances, and bands will be retained. Traditions will neither be broken nor discarded. “It m intended to make extensive use of motor vehicles. Recent trials have demonstrated how motor transport allows training to be taken further afield and carried out under favourable conditions. In future, with the exception of mounted rifles regiments, all territorial units will be motoi’ised for training. The proved enthusiasm, of motor-cyclists will be encouraged by the extension/of motor-cycle platoons.

“The additional issue of a more attractive uniform is under consideration so that the wear and tear of field training may be confined to such service dress. “I feel confident that the country as a whole will give wholehearted co-operation in providing facilities for an efficient system of territorial training. I desire to express the thanks of the Government to the officers and other ranks of our territorial force for the excellent service so willingly rendered by them up to the present time, and to express the hope that their advice and support, as well as the benefit of their experience, will be forthcoming in the future,” concluded the Minister 1 .