TERRITORIAL FORCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 98, 25 March 1941, Page 4

TERRITORIAL FORCE

NEW SCHEME EXPLAINED. LIABILITY FOR SERVICE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 25. Hon. R.-'Semple’s recent statement regarding the new system of selection of men for Territorial training in order to give greater stability to the Territorial Army was elaborated to-day by Hon. F. Jones (Minister of Defence), who said that while men might not be fit for overseas service there were aspects of home defence for which they, would be suited, and vocational qualifications would be taken into consideration under the new system. Mr Jones said it had become apparent that the system under which many of the men already serving in the Territorial Force were called up in the ballots for overseas, a system which allowed for repeated heavy withdrawals from the Territorial Force, was not in the best interests of home defence; consequently, it had been decided to stabilise the Territorial Force as far as possible by building up the units with men not liable for overseas service. The Minister said that in future Territorials -would be drawn from balloted men and volunteers medically graded 1, IA, and 2. Balloted men would consist of single men of 19 but under 20, single men between 20 and 40 graded 1A and 2, single men of 41 to 46, and single men of 21 to 40 who had been recommended by the appeal boards for alternative service. A'hlunteers would be taken from single men. between 19 and 45 and married men of the same ages with not more than three dependants under 16 who volunteered for service before July 22, 1940, and were graded 1A ami 2, and married men in the samo category who volunteer in the future and reach Grade 2 or higher. The medical papers of the men already examined were being reviewed to select men fit for Territorial duty and single men of 19 and under 20 and 41 to 46 would be examined as soon as their names were published in the Gazette to-morrow. THREE MONTHS’ TRAINING. “As men become available lor training,” said Mr Jones, “they will be taken into camp for twelve weeks’ continous training. The first drafts will commence training early in April, and thereafter drafts will enter camp at the beginning of each month. I lie training will of necessity be of a graduated nature, and arranged to suit the physique of the men, the object being to'build up their physical standard and powers of endurance. “It wall not be possible to accommodate all the men at once, but they will be trained as accommodation becomes available in the camps at present used by the Territorials. Ihe men will be given the opportunity to state in which arms of the Sevice they prefer to serve, and they will as lav as possible be posted accordingly. The last eight weeks in camp will be devoted to training in the branches of the Service to which the riien have been posted.” Mr Jones said that vacancies in the coast and anti-aircraft artillery units would be filled by single men who had been drawn in the ballot for overseas service hut were graded l’A or 2, and married volunteers. These men would be required for full-time duty. Some men for this duty would also he obtained ■ from those who had developed some physical weakness while training for overseas service. Others who were discharged from overseas service but were fit for Territorial duty would be posted to Territorial units and if such men had not completed their twelve weeks’ training they would be required to do so.

In conclusion, the Minister said the men called up under this system would have all the rights of appeal granted to other balloted men. He anticipated that at least 14 days’ notice would he given the men required to go into training.