Mobilised Army to Be Reduced

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 151, 28 June 1943, Page 4

Mobilised Army to Be Reduced

Relief for the Home Guard

Per Press Association.

WELLINGTON, June 26.

Plans which will result in a considerable reduction in New Zealand’s mobilised Army so that men will be made available for the expansion of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and also for release to war industries were announced to-day by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser). Another important feature of the plans is a substantial reduction in the present training of the Home Guard. Members of the Home Guard are to he allotted a reserve role and are now to parade one day every quarter.

The Prime Minister stated that the War Cabinet, acting on the advice ot the Chiefs of Staff, had decided on a reduction of tho mobilised Army in New Zealand, and other adjustments in tho Fighting Services to meet the changed situation in the Pacific. Ii would be remembered that on May 20 and 21 Parliament had held a secret session, when the Dominion’s naval, Army, and Air Force commitments ana activities, as well as civil defence ana industrial requirements in relation to man and woman power, were fully discussed.

“As regards home defence,” continued the Prime Minister, “War Cabinet has come to the conclusion that it is possible to readjust defence plans so that a considerable reduction can be mado in the mobilised Army, thus making available men required for the expansion of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and also allow the return ot other men to industries connected with our war effort. A Territorial Army. “The Army reorganisation will provide a Territorial Army, a portion ot which will be mobilised, this being essential for the manning of tho coasi and antiaircraft artillery, the administration and training of the Territorial Army as a whole, and also for the proper care aud maintenance of the large amount of war equipment, stores, and transport vehicles. The remainder of tho Territorial Force will be held on a non-mobilised basis, the personnel being required to perform training and be kept in a state of readiness for remobilisation should the necessity arise.

* ‘ The personnel for the non-mobilised portion of the Territorial Army will he drawn from men in the following classes:—

‘ ‘ (a) Single men and married men without children of medical grades i and II between the ages of 18 and 40 inclusive. '

“(b) Married men with not more than three children, grades I and II between the ages of 18 and 30 inclusive.

“In selecting these men regard will be paid to the individual circumstances of each man, including particularly:— “(a) Availability for service in the event of emergency; “(h) Availability for withdrawal from industry for one month’s camp training per annum. “(c) Availability for periodical parades in view of hours worked, location, etc.

“On reaching the upper age limil for service in the Territorial Army, men will be posted to the reserve ana will not carry out any further training, unless such is subsequently prescribed, but they will be liable to be called up for service on mobilisation or if liable for overseas service.

“The annual obligatory training to bo performed by non-mobilised personnel is to be one month in camp and two whole day parades each month. “Youths of 18 years of age becora ing liable for service in non-mobilisea units will be required to undergo one month’s recruit training in camp before being posted to a unit. Those who have completed one month’s camp training, or six months’ Home Guara service, or such service in a secondary school cadet unit considered as equivalent to one month’s camp training will be exempted from the month’s recruit training. “In order to maintain the mobilised section at full strength youths will be called up for full-time home service ou attaining tho age of 20. “Personnel required for overseas scrvico will continue to bo drawn from men between the ages of 21 and 40 inclusive and all men within these ages, whether mobilised or not, will be liable for overseas service. Those not mobilised will, of course, not bo ordered into camp until they are made available to the Army by the National Service Department, i.e., after any appeals have been disposed of. The Home Guard. “It is considered that the military situation docs not necessitate the present intensive training and degree of readiness of the Home Guard, aud it is now possible to give considerable reliei to this large body of men, who have been animated by a splendid spirit ot service and have displayed great enthusiasm in their training. “It has therefore been decided that the Home Guard can now be allotted a reserve role as from Julv 1.

“In every respect the Home Guara will retain its identity and organisation. A reduced staff will be retained, and all uniforms, personal equipment and rifles will remain on issue to tho Homo Guardsmen, so that units will boready to resumo full-scale training ii this should be necessary. One Full-Day Parade.

“Members of the Home Guard will be required to attend one compulsory full-day parade of six hours every quarter.

“At these parades, rolls and equipment will be inspected and checked, the remainder of the time being devoted to the carrying out of an annual musketry course.

“To encourage Home Guardsmen to improve their shooting, an issue of ammunition will be mado to units for voluntary additional range practices. ‘“Now that training has been reduced, it is desired that all units—especially in the cities and the larger towns—will continue active in the interests of the national war effort in such direction as may be required from time to time, particularly in organised work for the production of foodstuffs in the forthcoming season. ’ *