TRAINING SCHEME

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6543, 23 July 1948, Page 7

TRAINING SCHEME

FORMATION GF TERRITORIAL FORCE THE UNIT SYSTEM Whatever scheme was adapted, it must be compulsory and universal, said Major-General P. H. Bell, D. 5.0., formerly officer commanding the Northern Military District, commenting recently on the proposals for a territorial army announced by the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones. Units should be formed throughout the country, said Major- General Bell. He would be disappointed if all the units the military authorities felt necessary for an adequate defence force were not filled. He felt that 8000 recruits a year would not fill up the units required. Units throughout the country should be of the various departments of the Army so that men could get training in incidental duties rafher than training in the brpad outline. A mere contingent of trained men would not be good enough, MajorGqneral Bell said. Without properlyfilled units, senior officers would not have a chance to keep themselves up to date and try out new theories and new weapons. Units were also necessary because they encouraged esprit de corp, .one of the most valuable factors in military training; because they made training far more attractive, and because they would encourage the public to back the territorial army. Without units, all traditions went by the board. “Naturally, the Minister could give only an outline of the proposals,” said Major-General Bell. It migjht well be that the things he was suggesting were already contemplated.