BATTLE EXERCISE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24540, 24 March 1943, Page 2

BATTLE EXERCISE

INFANTRY AND ARMOUR VALUABLE LESSONS LEARNED (0.C.) OHAEAWAI, Tuesday A comprehensive exercise, designed primarily to practise co-operation between infantry and armoured fighting vehicles of all descriptions, was carried out yesterday by the Brigade Group which is holding exercises in Northland. The exercise was in two phases, the object of both being the reduction of two hill features which, it was assumed, were held by the main body of an invading force. On both occasions contact with the enemy was made by an armoured reconnaissance group. During the subsequent infantry advances, in conjunction with armoured fighting vehicles and with artillery support, valuable lessons in unit co-opera-tion were learned. Communications were again thoroughly and satisfactorily tested. A feature of the exercise was the effectiveness of air support used by the enemy in defending themselves The attackers were frequently strafed by lowflying aircraft and in turn gained considerable experience in concealment and camouflage. An important -role in the day's programme was taken by the engineers, who, in addition to giving the actions an air of reality by the explosion of battle noises, carried out very practical and extensive work in strengthening bridges and vital' routes for tanks and artillery vehicles. MILK SUPPLY COMMISSION OF INQUIRY SITTINGS IN WELLINGTON (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The Commission of Inquiry appointed by the Governor-General to inquire into the milk supply in the four metropolitan areas commenced its sittings today, when Messrs. W. R. Tuck (chairman), G. W. Dell and A. H. Ward were present. The commission met the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, and arranged its procedure and made preliminary appointments before beginning its inquiry in the Wellington city milk supply. The commission will be engaged next week in conferences with the Stabilisation Commission and various Government departments and in obtaining and examining general material immediately available. Written statements have been invited by the commission from all interested parties at'the sittings commencing on April 5. Oral evidence will- be heard by tho commission where it considers this is necessary to amplify the written statements already received. An opportunity will be afforded to the representative of each of the major interests concerned to examine the written statements and cross-examine witnesses giving oral evidence. Representation will be invited from the four groups of interested parties in Wellington, namely, the Wellington City Council, near by farmers, association suppliers to the Wellington City Council, and consumers. Where 'more than one organisation exists for any of these interests they will be asked to agree on joint representation. It is expected that a similar procedure will be followed in the other centres. NEXT WAR LOAN £2,095,825 SUBSCRIBED Subscriptions in advance for the next Government war loan, received by the Reserve Bank up to March 15, total £2,095,825. This figure represents .307 applications. In the Auckland district, 515 applications have been made, totalling £312,460. The Auckland Savings Bank has contributed £250,000 of the Auckland figure quoted, while the trustees of the bank have subsequently made a third subscription of £150,000. FERTILISER SUPPLIES (0.C.) WHANGAREI, Tuesday The Northland Dairy Conference today decided to ask the Government to make available straight superphosphate for mixing with lime, in lieu of serpentine super, as adequate quantities of first-grade lime were readily available in Northland districts. CHARGES OF DESERTION (0.C.) HAMILTON, Tuesday Two soldiers, Sapper Clive Williams and Private Roy Mikoz, were tried by court-martial at Ngaruawahia yesterday on charges of desertion. Major E. C. Woollor presided and Major N. S. Johnson acted as judge-advocate. The decision of the Court will lie promulgated. PATRIOTIC LEVY Following the receipt of a letter from the Auckland Patriotic Committee advising that the county's quota on the basis of population for the 1943 patriotic appeal .would be £11,450, members at a meeting of the IVlanukau County Council yesterday expressed the opinion that the amount was too high. It was pointed out by the chairman. Mr. F. M. Waters, that Mount Albert, with a population about double that of the Manukau County, was levied at 15s a head, against over £1 a head in Manukau County.