Army Chief Commends N.Z. Territorials

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1941, Page 2

Army Chief Commends N.Z. Territorials

[Special to “Northern Advocate”] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The New Zealand Territorial Force is to be equipped with the most modern weapons available as quickly as these can be obtained, and mechanisation is to be carried on in conformity vvith the latest demands of warfare. The Chief of the General Staff (Major-General Sir John Duigan) indicated this in an interview today, when he said his successor (Lieut.General Sir Guy Williams) woijjd not be taking over an unorganised territorial force. Tribute to Staff Major-General Duigan will retire from his command on May 31, and intends to visit Australia for a holiday. His present visit to Christchurch is the last he will pay in his official capacity, and he said he had made the trip to thank the staff of the Southern Military Districts, both permanent and temporary, for the excellent work they had done. They had, he said, worked long hours, and since the outbreak of war holidays had been out of the question ■for them. At the outset, 50 per cent, of the Staff officers had to be released for service overseas, and their places had been taken by territorial officers and officers from the reserve, who had come back into the service, and, on the whole, had done excellent work. Force Extension Completed The extension of the Territorial Force from 16,000 to 45,000 had been completed, and all senior officers had gained -experience in the moving of motorised troops, and, through manoeuvres, which had been made as realistic as possible, had learned something of the latest methods oil engaging and fighting an enemy. The clothing and equipping of the forces and the supply of modern weapons had been constantly under review, including the question of the mechanisation of the whole army as fast as possible, with the latest types cf weapons and other equipment available. In time this huge task would be completed. Efficiency of Territorials A great deal had already been done to improve the efficiency of the forces, and they were now on a much better oasis than they were at the outbreak cf hostilities. New Zealand started a long way behind scratch, sharing the handicap with all other nations of the British Commonwealth, but, by the exertion of energy and constant application to the needs of the day and the hour, a great deal of lost ground had been made up. Most of the Territorial Force had been given three months’ intensive training, and the majority of officers had had five months’ training. This work was continuing, and the efficiency of the defence forces generally was steadily improving. N.Z.E.F. Measures Up

Major-General Duigan added that in addition to the training of the larger force of territorials, New Zealand had also reason to be satisfied with the state of efficiency in the Expeditionary Force. A large force had been sent overseas, and these men had received their preliminary training in various camps built and equipped in the Dominion. Their training had been designed to meet the requirements of Major-General Freyberg, and there was every reason to believe the commander overseas had been well satisfied.