THE TERRITORIALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24049, 21 August 1941, Page 11

THE TERRITORIALS

MAKING UP STRENGTH MINISTER'S ASSURANCE STEPS TO ENFORCE TRAINING (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday "Action has been taken which it is expected will bring the Territorial Force to its full establishment within a short period," said the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, in replying in the House of Representatives to-day to a series of questions by Mr. F. W. Doidge (Opposition—Tauranga) concerning the territorials. Mr. Jones said that a deficiency was caused by the outflow of men from the Territorial Force to the Expeditionary Force. In order to repair the deficiency it was decided last March to use men who, while not medically fit for overseas service, were fit for home defence, and also to accept the enlistment of married volunteers. Further, in May it was decided to reduce the minimum age limit to 18 years. The Minister added that the Defence Emergency Regulations, 1941, made it an offence for any member of the Territorial Force without lawful excuse to fail to render the personal service required of him. The regulations were now being issued and would come into operation immediately. Men who failed to carry out prescribed training would be liable for prosecution in the Magistrate's Court. YACHTSMEN IN THE FORCE NAVAL COURSE NOT POSSIBLE (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday "If a course of three months' naval training were instituted for yachtsmen in lieu of undergoing training in the territorials it could only be at the expense of ratings for service in seagoing ships, and as the Government has been asked by the British Government to recruit and train larger numbers than has hitherto been found possible, it is regretted that no such scheme as that suggested can be adopted at present," said the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, in replying to-day to a proposal by Mr. W. P. Endean (Opposition— Remuera) that certain yachtsmen should undertake naval training instead of territorial service. SITES FOR CAMPS IN WINTER THE CLAIMS OF TAURANGA (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday Laughter greeted a suggestion made by Mr. F. W. Doidge (Opposition— Tauranga) in the House to-day that, in view of the uusuitability of such places as Waiouru and Trentham for military camps in winter, these camps should be transferred to Tauranga, "where the sun shines and where in spite of occasional rain the ground is always dry." Mr. Doidge put forward the proposal in notice of a question to the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones. In a note to his question Mr. Doidge said that the Tauranga Harbour Board had called the Minister's attention to the fact that excellent camp sites were available on the Mount Maunganui side of the harbour. SALE OF STONE FRUIT REPORT ON A PETITION (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday Most favourable consideration of a petition for the revocation of certain sections of the New Zealand Grown Fruit Regulations, 1940, relating to the grading, size, packing, inspection and sale of stone fruit, was recommended to the House of Representatives to-day by the Agricultural and Pastoral Committea. The petition was presented by Canterbury growers. MINISTERIAL BROADCASTING SUNDAY NIGHT ADDRESSES (S.R.) WELLINGTON. Wednesday "I have no knowledge of any such statement, and the address by the Minister of Mines was helpful information and essential for the people of the Dominion for their understanding of the present war situation," said the actingPrime Minister, the Hon. W. Nash, in a re ply given in the House to-day to a question asked by Mr. W. S. Goosman (Opposition—Waikato). Mr. Goosman referred to ''a statement made by the Prime Minister that Ministerial Sunday night broadcasting was to be discontinued during the war."