MODERN EQUIPMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 6

MODERN EQUIPMENT

NEW ZEALAND FORCES BREN MACHINE-GINS. ARRIVAL AT WELLINGTON. [ Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Feb. 2. "During the last three years th Government has paid a large amoun of attention to modernising the equip ment of the territorial force,," sail Hon. F. Jones, Minister of Defence, i: an interview to-day. "Orders hav been placed both in the United King dom and in Australia for substantia quantities of new equipment. Th delivery has, however, been held u owing to the prior claims of the Bri tish army, but every effort has bee made by the authorities in both coun tries to complete our orders expedi tiously as possible. I am pleased t say that a number of armourei machine-gun carriers are on th water and will arrive in New Zealani next month, while Ibe first consign ment of Bren light machine-guns ha already been received in Wellington, he said. The armoured machine-gun carrie is a specialised vehicle built, on th. same chassis as the British light tani and is capable of speeds of 45 mile, per hour on the road and up to 3( miles per hour across country on goo< going. The body is an armoured bo; which provides protection for tw< gunners and a driver and carrie: either a Bren light machine-gun oi Vickers machine-gun. Mr. Jones said that from the poin of view of territorial training, the ar rival of these armoured vehicles wa: was valuable and timely. Not onl; could they be used for their norma role of transporting either infant?,' or mounted rifles, machine-gunner: when supporting an attack, but alsc for demonstrating to all units the cross-country performance and tactical methods of the light tank. It was proposed to stage demonstrations at all later annual camps of territorial units and also for the public wherever facilities could be arranged.

"Concerning the Bren light machine-gun,” said Mr. Jones. “This has been inroduced into the British army to replace the Lewis and Hotchkiss'gun, both of which are still capable of good service, particularly under the local conditions in New Zealand, but are definitely inferior to the Bren as regards simplicity of manipulation and mechanical reliability. Every opportunity will also be taken to demonstrate the new guns at all possible annual camps, particularly of the infantry and mounted rifles arms which are most concerned with this type of weapon. Provision of this modern equipment will, I feel sure, make the training of our voluntary units more efficient and I hope the maximum number of territorials j will be able to attend the annual camps of their units during the next two or three months and benefit by seeing and, if possible, handling the new arms,” said Mr. Jones.