TERRITORIAL FORCE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13641, 27 August 1937, Page 2

TERRITORIAL FORCE.

grouping of units. The .grouping of units under the Government" s scheme for the reorganisation of the territorial forces was announced by the Minister ot Defence (Hon. F. Jones). He said an effective peace-time establishment ot 8000 officers and men was aimed at. The present establishment, which was leadjusted in 1931, was just over 12,000 officers and men, though the effective strength of the territorial forces under present conditions was about 8000. The reduction in the establishment had meant a redisposition of the various units. The new force would bo reorganised as follows: Four mounted rifle regiments (three horse and one motorised). Three infantrv battalions. Ten field artillery batteries. Four medium artillery batteries. Two light batteries. Three field companies of engineers. Three signal depots. Three Army Service Corps depots. Three field ambulance units. The coastal defence troops would comprise: Three infantry battalions. Two coastal defence batteries. Two anti-aircraft groups. These units will be stationed at Wellington and Auckland. Mr Jones explained that the proposed new strength of the land force was about equal to the effective number at present in the territorial forces. “With the provision of a better system of training,” he added, “we hope that the defections, which at tho present time are considerable, will he very much fewer.” According to the official record, the | present number and disposition of the various units are ns follows: I Nine mounted rifle regiments ! (Northern Command three, Southern ! Command three). | Twelve infantry battalions (N.C. i four, C.C. four, S.C. four). Ten field artillery batteries (N.C. I four. C.C. three, S.C. three). I Five medium batteries (N.C. two, C.C. two, S.C. one). , Two light batteries (N.C. one, S.C. 1 one). I Three field companies of engineers (N.C. one, C.C. one, S.C. one). Three signal, depots (N.C. one, C.C. one, S.C. one). Three A.S.C. companies (N.C. one, C.C. one, S.C. one). Three field ambulance units (N.C. one, C.C. one, S.C. one) Two coastal batteries (N.C. one, C.C. one). Asked about the colour of the now dress uniforms it is proposed to issue, -he Minister intimated that consideration of this matter had not reached finality'. “One proposal has been made that the uniform should be a blue colour,” he said, “but wo have yet to decide what is the most suitable.”