TERRITORIAL FORCES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 1 May 1934, Page 4

TERRITORIAL FORCES

TO BE STRENGTHENED PLANS OUTLINED BY MINISTER (By Telegraph—Press Association) AUCKLAND, This Day. Officers and men of the territorial defence forces are to benefit greatly from the adoption by the Government of plans to strengthen the forces, formulated by the General Officer Commanding the Now Zealand Defence Forces, Sir William Sinclair Burgess. Particulars of the plans decided on were made known by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, while addressing the Auckkmd Officers’ Club. Men of the coast defence batteries' will be required to spend a longer period in camp on pay and rations. Territorials on parade will receive pay for the whole period of their home training, equal to that given

ror camp training. Additional weekend courses are to be commenced, for which rations and transport will be pro vided. Local authorities controlling tramway systems have been asked to consider granting territorials travelling concessions. A serviceable pair of boots for use at drills and parades, and in Camp will be issued to each territorial. Sashes arc to be issued to sergeants and staff sergeants of infantry units. Commanding officers visiting the tamps of other units'are to receive travelling warrants, and out-of-pocket expenses. The scheme provides also for the formation of certain new territorial units, one additional platoon per rifle company to be formed, and a mortar platoon to be added to each machine gun company. The Minister gave further details of the development of the air force, involving tlie purchase of aircraft of the latest design, the enlistment of specialist personnel for the maintenance of machines, and the- construction of hangars, workshops and quarters for men at flic two air stations at Auckland and Christchurch. Tim Minister said the proposals would he shortly put into effect.