THE BRITISH ARMY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19404, 13 February 1925, Page 7

THE BRITISH ARMY

NEW TERRITORIAL STATUS. basis or ushting fobce. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, February 11. The military correspondent of The Times announces an important alteration in the status of the Territorial army. He says that the Secretary of State for War (Sir LWorthington Evans) has definitely approved of the principle of making the Territorial army the organisation on 'which future war expansions will bo marie- New units will be formed by the Territorial army, instead of new armies being created, as was done in the late war. The Territorials will thus become the real second linn of defence.—The Times. DETAILS OF THE SCHEME. EXPLANATION BY WAR MINISTER. LONDON, February 1L “Britain in tbe nest war will not need to recruit a ‘Kitchener army* when the

Regulars and Territorials are exhausted, said Sir L. Worthington-Evans (Minister of War) in the presence of Earl Cavan (Chief of the Imperial General Staff) and other army chiefs. ■ _ , Tjm Minister made this important announcement at a meeting of the I/jndon Territorial Association, Ho outlined a schema that the Army Council is framing by which in the event of a crisis the Territorial army wifi bo required to duplicate itself to the smallest detail. _ This pronouncement gives the. Territorials a now status and removes the ambiqnity of a position winch was keenly felt in the Great War. Sir L. Worthington-Evans said he regretted the railwayman's opposition to the

proposed supplementary reserve, and he expressed the hope thaifc fuller information would change the raibwaymen’s attitude. He said that the Government desired to make preparations to carry out a settled policy t providing that in tne event of war the Territorials wj.ll be the solo means of extending the army, and at least duplicating itself and producing 14 fighting divisions, with communication troops. rho present Regular Army was much smaller than it was in 1914. Whenever it was necessary to supplcm-cmt tho forces the burden and honour would fall on tho Texritorials, who were now 40,000 under strength.—Sydney Sun Cable. NEW ZEALAND UNITS ALLIED. LONDON, February 11. (Received Feb. 12, at 5.5 p.m.) Tho King has approved of the New Zealand Veterinary Corps being allied with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. Likewise, the Wellington Coast Regiment will be allied with the Hampshire Regiment, and the Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast Regiment with the Durham Light Infantry.—A. and N.Z. Cable.