DEFENCE NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19512, 10 June 1933, Page 5

DEFENCE NOTES

ACTIVITIES IN TIMAKU. (By “O. C.”>

For some rime all the military forces in the South Island nave been making steady preparation for the inspection visit of the Minister of Defence and the G.O.C. Major-General SinclairBurgess. D (M.G.) Company, together with the cadet unit of the Technical School and the High School, have accordingly been very busy designing the necessary parades and training the men who were to take part. So far as D Company was concerned the preparation fell under three headings: (a) The painting and packing of all military equipment and cleaning the Drill Shed. (b) Cleaning and adjusting of the arms and uniforms of the men. (c) Brushing up of the rifle drill movement. The Minister arrived at the Drill Hall on Monday accompanied by inspecting officers, and as soon as they had taken their' place before the Company, which was drawn up in line with bayonets ready fixed, the general salute was given. D Company provided its own two buglers for this salute and their effort was very good indeed. Immediately after ordering arms at the conclusion of the salute, Captain G. R. Lee, officer commanding the parade, advanced and saluted the Minister and, at the request of Major General Sinclair-Burgess, conducted the Minister on a rank to rank inspection. The G.0.C., Colonel Nicholls, Colonel Inglis and Lieutenant-Colonel S. D. Mason, also took the opportunity to see the men in the ranks. Permission to “carry on” was given, when the inspection was finished, and on the command “platoon commanders carry on,” the Company broke up rapidly Into platoon and section groups, and proceeded with a programme of machine gun instruction. During this period, the inspecting party visited the miniature rifle range, stores and recreation rooms. Favourable comment was made on the amount of work that has been done in creating a range and two recreation rooms almost without assistance from the Department, and great credit is due to Staff-Sergeant Major Mathieson for the manner in which he has organised this work and for the energy put into it. A double blast on the whistle signalled the “wash out” for the machine gun period, and the guns and gear were put away smartly, while the markers paraded for “close column of platoons.” Soon the platoons were marching on their markers, and five minutes after the signal the company was drawn up ready to be addressed. Major General Sinclair-Burgess spoke first, remarking on the spirit and energy shown by the men on his two previous inspections in camps at Kaituna, when he had been able to see the men at tactical work. He said that he was equally pleased with the ceremonial work that he had seen, and complimented the men on their turn out. In conclusion the General remarked that he had promised not to ask the the Minister to speak throughout the tour, but he thought that he might do so on this occasion. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Defence, then spoke to the men, complimenting them upon their turnout, efficiency, energy and good spirits. He commented at some length upon the difficult part that he was called upon to play as head of the Defence Department, when it was his duty to cut votes of money in every possible direction. This course, he said, was very necessary, but nevertheless most disagreeable, but he felt that the efforts that are being made under difficult circumstances are very creditable to the officers of the territorial force. So far as D (M.G.) Company was concerned, he had learned that 80 per cent, of its strength had attended the annual camp, and he wished to say that he realised the inconvenience entailed in camp attendance and thought this a good indication of the efficiency and keenness of the camp. He concluded by impressing on all persons present that the work which was being done by those officers and men responsible for the organisation and training of the territorial force, is of great importance, not only to New Zealand, but to the British Empire as a whole. Permission was then given to dismiss the parade. The officers fell out and the Officer in Command handed the parade over to the senior platoon sergeant who dismissed the Company.

A number of visitors attended the parade in response to invitations and the Commanding Officer First Battalion of the Canterbury Regiment, Leiutenant Colonel S. D. Mason, associated with Captain G. R. Lee, 0.C., D. Coy., desire to thank them for tllbir interest upon which a high value is set.

The guests included Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., His Worship the Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite), Messrs S. Goodman, F. Davey and Hocking, representing the Returned Soldiers Association, Squadron Leader T. W. White, Mr Heasley, Mr W. Duncan, Commander Morrison and Mr G. R. Park. Each of the guests is an exvolunteer or member of the Expeditionary Force, and one and all remarked favourably on the standard maintained by the unit. , After inspection, all members of the party, together with the visitors were entertained by the officers of the unit at an informal social gathering.

As an immediate result of the interest created by the visit of the Minister of Defence, six men have offered their services as recruits. This is splendid progress, and these men will be put into training immediately, ready for the new year's training. The Minister’s remarks as to the value of the services rendered by the men to the country should induce many young men to volunteer. Vacancies are occurring continually owing to members of the unit leaving town for country work, and at present no one

will be kept on a waiting list but will be put into training immediately. The parade state for June 6 showed, at present 70 ranks all told. This figure is satisfactory, when the number absent from Timaru and unable to attend by reason of illness etc, is known. There remain, however, a few men who were absent without leave, and it is fortunate that recruiting is going ahead at a pace sufficient to warrant dispensing with those men who do not comply with regulations.