ARMY CHIEF'S AIM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23470, 6 October 1939, Page 8

ARMY CHIEF'S AIM

WORTHY FIGHTING UNIT EQUAL TO 1914-18 FORCE THE TASK BEFORE OFFICERS [BY TELEGRAPH' —OWN CORRESPONDENT] CiJIUSTCIiURCH, Thursday In chats to senior officers anil their subordinates at Burnliam to-day, MajorGeneral .J. E, Duignn, Chief of the General Staff, stressed that their first , duty was the welfare of their men, whose complete assistance to them in ' "running the show" was needed. They were the leaders. Those officers who proved themselves unequal to the job would fall by the wayside and be replaced. He knew of no men more discerning than New Zealanders of deficiencies in the ability and knowledge of their officers. All had to be ablo to carry out their duties efficiently. The point was emphasised by MajorGeneral Duigan that all ranks now held were temporary and adjustments might have to he made as time goes on. 1 irmness and fairness with their men were urged on the officers, who were told that they had excellent material on which they could work sympathetically. "Training direction has been issued to each arm of the service by the General Staff on broad principles, and commanding officers will follow on those lines," said Major-General Duigan. "We do not expect commanding officers to make any attempt to run before the men can walk. We are going to be i thorough and methodical with the com- j inon goal of making this force equal to j the division that gave such wonderful j service in the Great War. I have every ; faith in the officers. J know that they i will leave no stone unturned to look ; after their 'men and to produce a fight-I ing unit that will be worthy of New | Zealand." ! The Territorial Force would be kept j Up to strength, .Major-General Duigan j said. Approximately 95 per cent of the officers now at Burnliam had undergone j training at the district military school ; there within the last 12 months, and the value of their training would be quickly apparent when the systematic training of troops was entered upon. Although required mainly for home defence, the Territorial Force would be a "feeder" for the special forco. CAMP CANTEENS GOVERNMENT CONTROL ORGANISATION PLANS BULK PURCHASE FACILITIES [BY TELEGRAPH SPECIAL REPORTER] WE LLIXGTON, Thursday Canteens at military camps are to bo established and controlled by the Government through the Internal Marketing Division, according to a statement made in an interview by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. •Jones. He said that as far as possible the canteens would be staffed by returned soldiers. "The Internal Marketing Division has been instructed to make the initial business arrangements for the organisation of the canteens," said the Minister. "The objective of the Government is to ensure that'the whole of its facilities for bulk purchasing should be available for the benefit of the troops so that a comprehensive, efficient and i economical service can be provided for_ | the convenience of the men in camp. '

STORES FOR THE SERVICES TWO PURCHASING OFFICERS [nv TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL H EPORTKII] W EIiLIXG TOX, Th u rsda y A special purchasing organisation under the control of the Treasury has been set up to buy stores in New >4ealand for tbe armed services. The Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones said that the purchasing officers ot this organisation were Mr. S. b. Miiliivrtou. fornierlv controller of stores for tbe Railwav Department and Mr. J. Jordan, formerly principal ol the Stores Division of tbe Post and lelcgraph Department. MEN WITH LARGE FAMILIES ENLISTMENT FOR SERVICE [nv TELKGUATH OWN CORRESPONDENT] CIIRISTCHURCH. Thursday Tbe recruiting ol men with large families was discussed bv the council of the. Canterbury Chamber of Commerce to-night. Cases were quoted of two men who bad resigned their positions and enlisted, although their families included seven and four children respectively. It was decided to refer the matter to the Defence Committee and to the officer commanding the area. CONSCRIPTION FAVOURED DUNEDIN MAYOR'S HOPE [BY TELEGRAPH —PUKSS ASSOCIATION] DUXEDIX, Thursday Drafts to-dav for the camps at Burnham and in the Waikato numbered 160. A large crowd watched the march to the station and surged round the carriages once the men had been checked. The Mayor, Mr. A. .11. Allen, in an address, expressed the hope that the Government would introduce conscription. ensuring service by all according to ability. HOTELKEEPERS ON SERVICE WIVES TO TAKE LICENCES [nv T El. K<: HA I'll PRESS ASSOCIATION ] WELLIXGTOX, Tluirsday Under the Licensing Act emergency regulations issued with to-night's Gav.ette authority is given licensing committees to transfer hotel licences to the wives of men engaged on active service.