COASTAL DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23273, 16 February 1939, Page 15

COASTAL DEFENCE

THE SPECIAL EESEEVE PROGRESS OF TRAINING MILITARY AND VOCATIONAL SUCCESS CLAIMED FOR SCHEME [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The success of the Government's scheme for developing the Dominion's coast defences was referred to to-day by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, who outlined the progress that had been made with the establishment of a special reserve for the territorial force and the training of young men as soldiers and citizens.

"Realising the urgent need for building up our coast defences, the Government initiated a scheme in August, 1937, under which young men carried out three months' continuous military training as a special reservo for the territorial force," said Mr. Jones. "At the end of that period they are reasonably trained soldiers, ready to take their places immediately alongside their regular and territorial comrades in their task of manning our defences at main port 3. In addition to purely military training as coast gunners, signallers and machine gunners, the reservists carry out vocational and trade training, so that on their return to civil life at the end of the prescribed period they are much better fitted technically, as well as physically and mentally, to take up employment in civil life. Improved Physique "The scheme has been successful from every point of view," continued the Minister. "Volunteers for the first hatch of reservists were called for in August, 1937, and the response was most satisfactory. Owing to restricted accommodation, the numbers were limited for the first three drafts, work being undertaken at Narrow Neck, Fort Dorset and Burnham. The Government appreciated, however, that three months was not sufficient time for both army and vocational training to be thoroughly dealt with. The period was, therefore, doubled, three months' military training and three months on a suitable trade.

"The fourth draft is still completing the latter period at Trentham. The men are so keen that they asked for the recreational training period of one half-day to be also devoted to trade work. They are determined to get a sufficient grip of the job in the three months to be capable of holding down a job when they go out. It is the right spirit. An outstanding feature of the special reservist training is the marked improvement in the physical well being of the men. They are, of course, put through a careful medical examination before acceptance and are examined at intervals throughout the training. 127 Permanent Soldiers

"To date 568 men have been trained, 346 for three months and 222 for six months," continued the Minister. Of these 354 have been posted to territorial coast defence units, where, with their specialised training, they are obviously of the greatest value. Out of the 568 specials no fewer than 127 have been selected for permanent employment as soldiers or airmen with the regular forces. This is a feature which makes the scheme worth while. The vocational training is an equally vital element in the plan. It means that a man goes back to civil life after either a refresher course in his normal occupation or with intensive preliminary training in a useful trade sufficient to enable him to tackle > a job once more. He has a foundation fot future employment, he has better health and a stronger body, and, most important of all, he has the self-respect and spirit born of the knowledge that ho has undertaken a vital duty for New Zealand and is capable of doing it well."