VITAL CHANGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22985, 12 March 1938, Page 13

VITAL CHANGES

BRITAIN'S ARMY REORGANISATION PLANS REVIEW BY MINISTER IMPERIAL RESPONSIBILITY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (.Received March 13, 6.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUOBY, March 10 A notable speech in the House of Commons on the Army Estimates to-day by Mr. L. Hore-Belisha, Secretary of State for War, contained a survey of the leading problems of Army organisation which are engaging the attention of the Government. Also it contained the announcement of important changes, as well as a large number of improvements affecting the service conditions for all ranks. Mr. Hore-Belisha said that from troops raised at home under the voluntary system there could be mobilised in an emergency more than 500,000 soldiers for action in the various fields of Imperial responsibility. In reference to the increase in numbers of those seeking enlistment, the Minister asked if it was realised that •applicants were trying-to join the Army at a rate of nearly 60.000 annually—a total far in excess of the country's requirements. Such difficulties as confronted the Government were not of man-power, but of correct organisation. Various Important Proposals The House listened attentively to the Minister's disclosures of a variety of proposals, ranging from those affecting higher strategy to those relating to the smallest details of a soldier's routine. The proposals included an interdepartmental re-examination of the Cardwell system, the reorganisation of divisions based on the progress of motorisation and mechanisation, the reorganisation of the * artillery, the enlargement of the numbers and responsibilities of warrant officers, and the reconsideration of factors determining the service conditions of officers. Other proposals included the introduction of enlistment for long-term service in addition to short-term as in use at present. This is designed to supplement the measures already taken to make the Army a career for those who wish to adopt it. Also proposed were the modernisation of barracks, improved living conditions for soldiers, and increased financial benefits in the way both of family allowances and increments of pay after periods of completed service. Increases in pay to private soldiers would amount to £850,000 a year and marriage allowances to £360,000 a year. Private's pay would be increased 3d a day at the end of the first year's service and a further 3d at the end of the second year, and there would be further increases at later intervals. Assistance for an Ally j After discusing the role of the Army, [ firstly, -in home defence—in which ground defences against air attack were now first in priority —and, secondly, in the discharge of overseas commitments for the defence of British territories and bases, the Minister came to its third role—as a strategic reserve. Under this head was included its use in cooperation in the defence of territories of the allies. - Mr. Hore-Belisha said a mere description of the role of the British Arm?, disclosing how, under stress, new methods of warfare and a fresh allocation of the British forces is called for. affecting on the one hand their distribution, and on the other their responsibilities at home, emphasised how the factors in the situation had altered since 1914. "The extent to which we might be required or expected to send, or have available, assistance for an ally, and what form it should take, must be r»*lated to these considerations," said the Minister. "It must be remembered that support on land is not the only support we can offer." Reorganisation of Artillery Mr. Hore-Belisha then gave an ac- 1 count of the proposed reorganisation of the divisions and of the artillery, with the aim of providing a thoroughly flexible organisation, and, as regards artillery, greater tactical flexibilty and increased facility for the. control of fire. There were to ba two types of divisions, and varieties within the types. The first type —the motorisgd division based on the light machine-gun—when used for internal security and operations such as the present operations in Palestine, might consist of six battalions with the necessary ancillary troops for maintenance and communications. However, when used for war it might consist o( nine battalions supported by artillery and other arms according to the need. Those battalions would each possess 50 Bren light machine-guns, of which a proportion would be borne in armoured carriers so that they would, in fact, be light machine-gun battalions. The second type would be a mechanised armoured division based on the tank. The Minister announced that Sir Isidore Salmon, described as "the managing director of a famous catering organisation" (J. Lyons and Company, Limited), had consented to become honorary catering adviser to the Army and the present arrangements in regard to cooking would bo reviewed. CAUSE OF DOMINIONS "BRITAIN FIRST" POLICY EXPLANATION DESIRED SYDNEY, March 11 The Canberra correspondent of tho Sydney Morning Herald says Mr. Chamberlain's recent pronouncement that Britain's defence policy will be based on the principle of "Defend Britain first" is not interpreted in Canberra as an indication that the Dominions will be thrown on their own resources in an emergency. The general impression is that Mr. Chamberlain's references to oversea defence bases did not apply to the Dominions. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, intends to ask Mr. Chamberlain to elaborate his ideas.