MODERN EQUIPMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23882, 9 August 1939, Page 10

MODERN EQUIPMENT

LAND AND AIR DEFENCE DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING SUPPLIES 'From Our Parliamentary Reporter' WELLINGTON, Aug. 8. "The purchase of a full range of modern fighting and technical antitank, anti-aircraft, and anti-gas equipment was advocated by Majorgeneral P. J. Mackesy in his report on the land forces of New Zealand," said the Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones) in the House of Representatives to-day. General Mackesy had also recommended the Government to obtain specialised vehicles from Aiistrslis The Minister said that the proposals involved enormous costs—about £1,200,000. So far as vehicles were concerned the Government was getting what it could, but there were difficulties in obtaining supplies from Australia just as there were in getting equipment from England. "We have placed large orders overseas for anti-tank guns and rifles, Bren machine-guns, respirators, anti-gas clothing, and anti-tank mines," the Minister said. "So far as gun ammunition is concerned we have placed orders overseas for £200,000 worth." General Mackesy recommended that the Government should expedite the placing of orders for reasonable reserves of ammunition, Mr Jones said. In this connection small arms ammunition costing £178,000 would come to charge next year. There were difficulties in getting orders filled but every effort was being made and the Minister of Finance (Mr Nash) had assisted in this respect while abroad. MOBILISATION OF FORCES PLANS WELL ADVANCED THE MINISTER'S ASSURANCE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Aug. 8. The need for urgent consideration being given to all recommendations affecting mobilisation was pointed out by Major-general P. J. Mackesy in his report on the land forces of the Dominion, said the Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones) in the House of Representatives to-day. The Minister said that the plans were practically completed and all matters were being pushed forward as rapidly as possible. The need for a site for a northern mobilisation camp and for the completion of initial preparations in all three districts was also pointed out, the Minister said. He added that the Government had appropriate action under consideration. NEW ZEALAND OFFICERS HIGH STANDING AT HOME PLANS FOR ADVANCED TRAINING 'From Our Parliamentary Reporter* WELLINGTON, Aug. 8. "In his , report, Major-general P. J. Mackesy says that the New Zealand officer at Home has a very high reputation, and that from what he has seen of the regular officers in the Dominion there seems to be a similar standard in this country," said the Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones) in the House of Representatives to-day, when discussing General Mackesy's report. The sending of non-commissioned officers abroad for advanced and special training as advocated by General Mackesy was being extended, the Minister said. The report also recommended that schools of instruction, particularly recruits' courses, should be continued, and that a simplified drill should be adopted. This was being carried out in New Zealand. "This will be considered, but one can realise the difficulty of men getting away from work for an extra six days," said the Minister when reporting that General Mackesy had suggested extending the period of training from 6 to 12 days. "To do so would cost an extra £60,000," he added, "but we will see what we can do."