N.Z. Mobilised Army Reduced; H.G. Now Reserve

Northern Advocate, 28 June 1943, Page 4

N.Z. Mobilised Army Reduced; H.G. Now Reserve

ip.A.) WELLINGTON, Saturday Mr. Fraser announced that the War Cabinet, acting on the advice of the Chiefs of Staff, has decided on the reduction cf the mobilised army in New Zealand, and other adjustments in the fighting services, to meet the changed situation in the Pacific. He recalled that Parliament held a secret sitting on May 20 and May 21, when the Dominion’s naval, army and air force commitments and activities, as well as civil defence and industrial requirements in relation to man and woman power, were fully discussed. “As regards home defence,” said Mr. Fraser, “the War Cabinet came to the conclusion that it was possible to readjust defence plans so that a considerable reduction can be made in the mobilised army, thus making available men required for expansion of the R.N.Z.A.F. and also allow the return of other men to industries connected with the war effort. A Territorial Army

“Army reorganisation will provide a territorial army, portion of which will be mobilised, this being essential for the manning of coast and antiaircraft artillery, the administration and training of the territorial army as a whole, and also for the proper care and maintenance of the large amount of war equipment, stores and transport vehicles. “The remainder of the 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 “Personnel for the non-mobilised portion of the territorial army will be drawn from men in the following classes: (a) Single men and married men without' children, of medical grades 1 and 2, between the ages of 18 and 40 inclusive. (b) Married men with not more than three children, Grades 1 and 2, between the ages of 18 and 30, inclusive. In selecting these men, regard twill be paid to the individual circumstances of each man, particularly (a) availability for service in the event of emergency; (b) 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 limit for service in the Territorial Army, men will be posted to the reserve, and 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 be performed by non-mobilised personal is to be one month in camp, and two whole-day parades each month. 18-Year-Old Youths Youths of 18 years, and becoming liable for service in non-mobilised units, will require 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 Guard 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 on attaining the age of 20. Personnel For Overseas Personnel required for overseas service will continue to be drawn from men aged 21 to 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 be ordered into camp until they are made available to the army by the National Service Department, that is, after any appeals have been disposed ofi. Continuing his announcement of army reductions, the Prime Minister said: “It is considered that the military situation does not necessitate the present intensive training and degree of readiness of the Home Guard, and it is now possible to give considerable relief to this large body of men who have been animated by a splendid spirit of service, and displayed great enthusiasm in their training. “It has therefore been decided that the Home Guard can now be allotted a reserve role as from July 1. In every respect the Home Guard will retain its identity and organisation. A reduced staff will be retained and all uniforms, personal, equipment and rifles will remain on issue to Home Guardsmen, so that units will be ready to resume full-scale training if this should be necessary. “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 will be devoted to the carrying out of an annual musketry course. Ammunition Issue “To encourage Home Guardsmen to improve their shooting, an issue of ammunition will be made to units for voluntary additional range practices. “Now that training has been reduced, it is desired that all units, especially in cities and 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.”