"DESTROYED IN A NIGHT."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20618, 17 July 1930, Page 12

"DESTROYED IN A NIGHT."

AN OFFICER'S OPINION.

NO PRACTICAL TRAINING. CADRES A "SHADOW SHOW." RESIGNATIONS INEVITABLE. In the opinion of competent authorities the territorial force has been destroyed in a night. "When a unit becomes a cadre," said one, "it ceases to be a unit. All that can exist under the most favourable circumstances is a skilled nucleus, which, upon mobilisation, will have to start at tho beginning again. It would be impossible for New Zealand to mobilise a force and have it ready for war in the time taken to despatch the Main Body of the Expeditionary Force. I doubt, liowover, if the cadres will have the quality expected. In any case many officers will have to take their discharge along with the men, and is it likely that all the remaining ones will remain to engage in a 'shadow show' ?

"Under the new system a mounted rifles regiment will consist of 38 officers and 46 warrant officers and non-commis-sioned officers, instead of 19 officers -and 300 to 400 other ranks. What practical training could this group do? It is proposed to have brigade camps, but what brigade training could three 6uch cadres perform? Ihey would have a huge surplus of officers, and even if tho non-coms, worked in tho ranks there would only be a couple of squadrons. The same tiling would hold good right through. A battery cadre is to comprise four officers, 19 warrant and non-commissioned officers, instead of five officeni and 160 other ranks. What sort of training could an artillery brigade do?" Although tho fact has not been announced training has now ceased and the only remaining duty for the territorials and non-school cadets is to hand in their equipment and uniforms. Detailed instructions, it is understood, have been issued as to the manner rifles are to be treated with a mixture of oil and beeswax and stored in boxes in Government buildings.

No information is available as to the legal procedure necessary. Doubtless an Act will have to be passed amending the Defence Act, 1909, by which compulsory universal training was introduced.

INSTRUCTIONS AT NAPIER

TRAINING CEASED FOR YEAR RETURN OF EQUIPMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] NAPIEK, Wednesday. It is understood that all territorial and cadet training in this district has ceased for a year. Trainees are to return all equipment.

REDUCING CLERICAL STAFF.

TRANSFERS OR DISMISSALS.

NAVAL RESERVE ALSO "CUT."

[by telegraph.—-own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Announcements by the Government of

its intentions to effect considerable changos in the defence system of New Zealand havo been followed by drastic cuts, and this retrenchment, it is stated, is now being carried out. Details of the "cuts" to be effected are generally known among members of the permanent staff and officers of tho territorial forces are aware of the proposed changes, which include the following:—

(1) Suspension of the compulsory provisions of the Defence Act for 12 months; (2) retention of territorial officers and N.C.O.'s as cadres of their existing units; (3) retention of secondary school cadets; (4) all other trainees and territorial and senior cadets forces to hand in their equipment immediately; (5) the retirement of a number of members of the Defence staff.

It is believed that members of the clerical staff of tho Defence Department havo not been wholly unprepared for what has occurred, as they have-been in possession of circulars advising them to hold themselves in readiness for transference to other Government departments. It is inferred that training officers aro to be given positions in tho Defence Department occupied at present by tho clerical staff, thus obviating dismissals to some extent It is considered tho cuts will bo far-reach-ing in their effects and, that being so, the dismissal of a fair proportion of th» staff would not bo unlikely. The training period of tho Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve' is being reducod from four years to three years. Notico of this was given to members of the reservo with the last fortnight. Expenditure for the Naval Reserve is provided from the naval vote.