ARMY STRENGTH IN N.Z.

Southland Times, Issue 23796, 19 April 1939, Page 6

ARMY STRENGTH IN N.Z.

“Establishment May Be Doubled”

STATEMENT MADE BY COLONEL H. C. HURST

NOTIFICATION EXPECTED IN FEW DAYS

“It is probably known to all you gentlemen here,” said Colonel H. C. Hurst to the executive committee of the Christchurch Territorial Association on Monday, says The Press, “that our territorial establishments are likely to be greatly increased as a result of the conference now being held in Wellington. We may receive a notification in a few days that the units are to be doubled.”

Defence week, which was to have been held in Christchurch before and after Anzac Day, has been postponed until more definite information concerning the size of the territorial establishment in New Zealand has been received from the Defence Department. Members expected that an important statement on this subject would be made when the report of the defence conference in Wellington was made public. Considerable dissatisfaction was expressed with the size of the present territorial establishment. The opinion was expressed by Mr W. R. Lascelles that the Government should be asked to make public whether and when it proposed to increase the size of its forces. The waiting lists, which some units had, meant either that those in high places were not aware of present dangers or that there were too many territorials in the country. There was no use carrying on with their campaign if the young men were being turned away from the barracks.

EMERGENCY MEASURES Mr J. B. Mawson suggested that the association should ask for the permission of the Government to proceed with building up an organization to evacuate cities and ports in the event of an emergency as might result from a raid. A voluntary register would facilitate the organization of the community. He further stated that a defence force of 9000 men was based on the assumption that an expeditionary force for service overseas would not be required. If Britain was fully extended in Europe and Japan engaged in the China conflict, it might well be possible and necessary to send such a force overseas. It was agreed that a deputation should wait on the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) to discuss this matter. Disappointment with the growth of the association’s membership was expressed by Messrs R. H. Livingstone and J. L. Hay. The response to the rallies and meetings was very poor in the towns. There were four times the number of members in the country. Magnificent support, however, had been given by big city firms.