NEW DEFENCE FORCE

Waipa Post, Volume 42, Issue 3303, 30 May 1931, Page 4

NEW DEFENCE FORCE

STRENGTH OF 10,000.

GENERAL ORDER ISSUED. WELLINGTON, Friday. A general order was issued by Major General W. L. H. SinclairBurgess, general officer commanding the New Zealand Military Forces, today, giving details of the new defence scheme under which compulsory military training will be abandoned for voluntary enlistment. The total strength of the new force will be slightly under 10,000, and the scheme will be brought into force from June 1, 1931. The New Zealand Territorial Force"" will be recruited on a voluntary basis. Apart from this, the general organisation will remain as at present. DETAILS OF ORGANISATION.

No change will take place in the cadet units at. secondary schools. The organisation of the Territorial Force will be based on the following principles:—(a) The retention of the present divisional organisation; (b) the maintenance of the majority of the Territorial units, but on a reduced peace establishment; (c) the retention of the highly-trained cadre of regular soldiers for mobilisation, peace training and administrative requirements. The system further provides for:— A central training depot at Trentham camp, the establishment of some 600 officers, and 9300 other ranks in the territorial force, and the training of some 300 officers and 16,000 secondary school cadets. The strength of the new forces is to be 9982, made up of 614 officers, 136 warrant officers, 1468 sergeants and corporals, and 7764 other ranks. The age of enlistment wsl be from 18 to 25 years, while the minimum amount of training must be carried out by officers or other ranks will be six evening parades, two half-day parades, six days' continuous training in camp and, a prescribed small arm course.

The present system of training in secondary schools will be retained.