Land Defences Under Criticism

Northern Advocate, 28 July 1938, Page 2

Land Defences Under Criticism

I Special tu “Northern- Advocate:’] ' WELLINGTON. This Day. ; The scheme for the reorganisation of ihe nomininu’s lamt defences is itviewed h.y Major-General .1, E. ; Duigau. Chief of the General Staff, in his annual report on the military | forces of New Zealand, which was j tabled in the House of Ropresenta- | lives yesterday by the Minister of i Defence, the Hon. F. Jones. Results of Publicity. . “A vigorous publiofty campaign is ; assisting recruiting and stimulating i public interest." the report states, j “and the recruits now coming forward i are of good type . and physique. An j analysis of the Territorial system in | England and Australia, which is similar to our own. leads mo to the conclusion that it would be overoptimistic to expect more than 9000 men of the right type to till the ranks of our organisation in pence time under a system of voluntary enlistment. “The unit constituting a mounted brigade and an infantry division have been provided for in the organisation, and can be expanded to their war establishment should a national emergency necessitate this action. The staff has been concentrating on the training of leaders to allow this expansion to take place, and satisfactory progress has been made. Gaps Must be Filled. “If the force is to reach a reasonable degree of efficiency,” said MajorGeneral Duigan, “the gaps in the ranks of units must be filled and attendances at annual camps must reach a high percentage of the numbers provided for. There are several very important recommendations affecting the efficiency of the military forces now under the consideration of the Government dealing with pay, allowances and amenities. “In England whole-hearted support has been given to the Territorial force, and attendance at annual training has been very satisfactory, reaching as high as 86 per cent, of the establishment. I can see no reason why the same result should not be attainable in New Zealand.”

Disappointing - Attendance. The section of the report dealing with the training states that the attendance at camps has again been disappointing, the numbers attending being 433 officers and 2692 other ranks, a total of 3125 of all ranks, or 41 per cent, of the strength. However. 670 officers and 3611 other ranks carried out at least six days continuous training in a camp or at a course of instruction, making a total of 4281 of all ranks or 56 per cent, of the strength. The report states that • the cadet units which are all associated with secondary schools have maintained a high standard of discipline, drill and physical training during the year. It is held that the new syllabus of training which includes first aid is more important to the youth of the Dominion than, a knowledge of elementary gunnery and the handling of automatic weapons, Foundation of Discipline. “It is in our secondary schools that the foundation of discipline should be laid.” Major-General Duigan adds, “and 1 know of nothing better than close order drill and ceremonial to foster this essential in the youth of our country.”