DEFENCE REDUCTIONS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 2937, 14 March 1922, Page 5

DEFENCE REDUCTIONS.

IMG CUT IN STAFF. One of the moist favoured targets when the question of retrenchment is discussed is the Uelenoe system. From inquiry, it appears that drastic retrenchment lias been, effected in the Defence Department, the duties ol which arc stated- to be- still more extensive than in pre-war days. Taking the Royal New Zealand Artillery for instance: Before tho war this oranch numbered 315, and to-day lias been reduced to 100, all of whom are pe.rmaneiit’v enlisted soldiers. This arm of tho service, has to in-) struct the Citizen Army (the Territorials), and the artillery units, provide the torim.icak personnel for the care of and maintenance of the electric lights and artillery armaments lor coastal defence, and small detachments are located all over the Dominion wherever artillery or Territorial units exist. .Most oi the reduction has been met by absorbing the men into the ordnance section.

In 1919 the ordnance section numbered 532, and has now been reduced to 100. There are ordnance depots at Auckland, Tronthani and Burnham, while a ismall detachment is at present at Featherston, which is being temporarily used as an ordnance depot until it can he demolished and proper depots provided in the Auckland district. This branch was instituted'during the war, its chief duty being to take charge, account for, and for the equipment and issue to the troops of military stores. The civil staff, which stood «.t 520 in 1919, has been reduced to 95. Altogether the total reduction in personnel works out at 1055, as compared with the 1919 figures.