TERRITORIAL TRAINING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 264, 5 October 1940, Page 8

TERRITORIAL TRAINING.

SIX NEW BATTALIONS.. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 4. New units of the Territorial Force are being formed in accordance with tlie expansion programme decided upon some time ago. An announcement to this effect was made to-day by the Minister of Defence (Hon. F. Jones), who said that steps were also being taken to train officers and n.c.o.’s for six new battalions in three military districts, and also another battalion of the Scottish Regiment^ The opportunity will be given to suitable men who have already undergone training to gain promotion in the nevv units.

The Minister also announced a sdhemc for maintaining the efficiency of the men who have already undergone the intensive training of the First Battalions of the Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury Regiments, which was begun in Juno and has now been completed. In order that the men will maintain the benefit of the training received it has been decided that the future training programme of the Territorial Force, after the completion of the period of intensive training, will consist of the equivalent <pf one day’s training a month and, in addition, fourteen days’ camp training per year. Mr Jones added that of the six new infantry battalions to be formed there would be two each in the Northern and Central Military Districts and one in the Southern District, in addition to t'ho Second Battalion of the Scottish Regiment.