DEFENCE RE-ORGANISATION.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1808, 5 May 1921, Page 5

DEFENCE RE-ORGANISATION.

ITS EFFECT ON PALMERSTON.

In connection with the new organisation of the New Zealand Territorial Force, details of which have just been made public from Wellington, a "Manawatu Times" representative interviewed officers of tho Headquarters of the Central Command in Palmerston North yesterday as to tho effects which the new scheme will have locally. He was informed that the Central District's Headquarters will remain in Palmerston North. The Headquarters of the Army Ser. vice Corps will, however, be removed to Wellington, and the Ordance Depot is going to Trcntham in order to save future administrative expenses. Tho greatest change here will be in the field Artillery section of training. Up till the present there has only been one battery, the guns of which are out-of-date. New pieces of artillery are being obtained, and an additional battery will be established. One of tho batteries will consist of Howitzers, and the other of 18pounder Held guns. As at present, tho infantry headquarters will remain at Wanganui, but, owing to the additional men needed for the establishment of the new battery, very few will bo drafted into the infantry ranks. Palmerston North is still to be the headquarters of the. Field Artillery Brigade. The new equipment for the local batteries is already labelled, and awaiting transport from Trentham. Wellington and Napier have already been supplied with their quota of new pieces. There are at present five officers of the N.Z.S.C. and one of the N.Z. Pay Corps stationed here. There is no likelihood that this number will be reduced, in fact, the amount of work handled here could hardly be carried out with fewer officers. The shifting of the Ordnance Depot to Trentham will, of course, mean a reduction in the personnel of that branch. So far, no transfers have been definitely decided upon.