NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 29 June 1939, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCES

THE REGULAR ARMY CANDIDATES FOR TRAINING NINE GOING TO AUSTRALIA (United Press Anso.-'ationl WELLINGTON, 27th June, i An increase in the peace establishment of officers of the New Zealand regular forces has become necessary to provide instructors for the recent-l3'-authoriscd expansion of the Territorial Army, according to a statement made to-day by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones. The scheme involves nine serving members of the regular or territorial forces undergoing six months’ training at the Royal Military College of Australia prior to their appointment as lieutenants in the New Zealand regular forces. “The increase will be carried out in stages, the first step being the selection of suitable candidates from the serving personnel of the military forces, both regular and territorial, and their training for permanent commissions in the New Zealand regular military forces,” Mr Jones said. The Minister added that the Cabinet had recently approved of nine serving members of the regular or territorial forces proceeding to the Royal Military College of Australia. The following selections have been made: —Second-Lieutenant J. A. Pountney, 2nd Medium Battery, Hamilton; D. Harrowell, 4th Battery, Auckland; L. G. S. Cross, Royal New Zealand Artillery, Auckland; F. D. McWha, Wellington Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Territorial; Second-Lieu-tenant B. R. Bullot, Taranaki Regiment, New Plymouth; Second-Lieutenant D. C. Powrie, 3rd Composite Company, New Zealand Army Service Corps, Christchurch; Second-Lieutenant E. H. L. Maxwell, 3rd Composite Company, New Zealand Army Service Corps, Christchurch; Second-Lieutenant C. E. Nathan, Nelson-Marlborough Mounted Rifles, Blenheim; Captain W. R. K. Morrison, Otago Regiment, Dunedin. The Minister said that the candidates would leave by the Awatea next Monday for Sydney to undergo a special course of six months’ training. On graduating after the course and on their return to New Zealand at the end of the year they would be commissioned as lieutenants in the New Zealand regular forces.