FURTHER REDUCTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 28 June 1943, Page 4

FURTHER REDUCTION

OUR TERRITORIAL ARMY MORE MEN FOR INDUSTRY TRAINING RELIEF FOR HOMF. GUARD Wellington, June 26. Plans which will result in a considerable reduction in New Zealand’s mobilised Army so that men will be made available for the expansion of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and also for release ot war industries were announced today by the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser). Another important feature of the plans is a substantial reduction in the present training of the Home Guard. Members of the Home Guard are to be allotted a reserve role and are now to parade one day every quarter. The Prime Minister stated that War j Cabinet, acting on the advice of the Cihefs of Staff, had decided on a reduction of the mobilised Army in New Zealand, and other adjustments in the Fighting Services to meet the changed situation in the Pacific. It would be remembered that on 20th and 21ct May Parliament had held a secret session, 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,” continued the Prime Minister, “War Cabinet has come to the conclusion that it is possible to readjust defence plans so that a considerable reduction can be made in the mobilised army, thus making available men required for the expansion of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and also allow the return of other men to industries connected with our war effort A TERRITORIAL ARMY "The Army reorganisation will provide a Territorial Army, a portion of which will be mobilised, this being essential for the manning of the coast and anti-aircraft 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 cm 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 for the nonmobilised 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 II between the ages of IS and 40 inclusive. “(b) Married men with not moro than three children, grades I and II between the ages of 18 and SO inclusive. “In selecting these men regard will be paid to the individual circumstances of each man, including particularly:— “(a) Availability for service in the event of emergency; “(b) Availability for withdrawal from industry for one month’s camp training per annum. (e) Availability for periodical parades in view' of hours worked, location, etc. “On leaching 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,, Jmt they will be liable to be called liat service on mobilisation or if liable for overseas service. “The annqal obligatory training to be performed by non-mobilised personnel is to be one month in camp and two whole day parades each month. “Youths of 18 years of age becoming liable for service in non-mobilised units will be required 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 required for overseas service will continue to be drawn from men between the ages of 21 and 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, i.e.. after any appeals have been disposed of. THE HOME GUARD “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 have displayed great enthusiasm in their training. “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 the Home Guardsmen, so that units will be ready to resume full-scale training if this should be necessary. ONE FULL-DAY PARADE "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 being devoted to the carrying out of an annual musketry course. “To encourage Home Guardsmen to improve their shooting an issue of ammunition will be made to units for voluntary additional range practices. j “Now that training has been reduced, it is desired that all units —especially in the cities and the larger towns — 1 will continue active in the interests of ! the national war effort in such direc- j tion as may be required from time to | time, particularly in organised work 1 for the production of foodstuffi in the forthcoming season ” [Substantial army changes were fore- 1 cast in an article published on Saturday.]