MOST MODERN WEAPONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 120, 24 May 1941, Page 6

MOST MODERN WEAPONS

EQUIPMENT FOR THE TERRITORIALS EXPANSION COMPLETED (Press Assn.) Christchurch, May 23. The New Zealand Territorial Force is to be equipped with the most modern ■weapons available as quickly as these can b obtained, and mechanisation is to be carried on in conformity with the latest demands of warfare. These were the words of the retiring Chief of the General Staff MajorGeneral Sir J. Duigan, during an interview to-day, when he said his successor, Sir Guy Williams, would not be taking over an unorganised Territorial Force. Major-General Duigan will retire from his command on May 3.1, and he intends to visit Australia for a holiday. His present visit to Christchurch is the last he wil pay in an official capacity, and he said he had made the trip to thank the staff of the southern military district, both permanent and temporary, for the excellent work they had done. They had worked long hours and since the outbreak of war holidays had been out of the question for them. At the outset, 50 per cent, of the staff officers had to be released for service overseas and their places had been taken by Territorial officers and officers from the reserve, who had corrie oack into the service, and on the whole they had done excellent work.

The expansion of the Territorial Force from 16,000 to 45,000 had been completed, and all senior officers had gained experience in the moving of motorised troops. In manoeuvres, which had been made as realistic as possible, they had learned something of the latest methods of engaging and lighting the enemy. Started Behind Scratch. Tiie ciothing and equipping of the forces and the supply of modern weapons had ben constantly under review, including the question of mechanisation of the whole army as last as possible with the latest types of weapons and other equipment available. In time this huge task would be completed. A great deal had already been done to improve the efficiency of the forces and they were now on a much better basis than they were at the outbreak of hostilities. New 7 Zealand had started a long way behind scratch, sharing that handicap with all other nations of the British Commonwealth, but by exertion of energy and constant application to the needs of the day and hour had made up a lot of ground.

Most of the Territorial Force had been given three months’ intensive training and the majority of the officers had had five months’ training. This work was continuing, and the efficiency of the defence forces generally was steadily improving. Major-General Duigan added'that in addition to the training of a large force of Territorials. New Zealand had also reason to be satisfied with the state of efficiency in the expeditionary force. A large force had been sent overseas, and these men had received their preliminary training in various camps built and equipped in the Dominion. Their training had been designed to meet the requirements of Major-General Freyberg, and there was every reason to believe that the commander overseas had been well satislied.