| Mrs Joan Keinzley | 4 March 99 in Melbourne | |
| 889761 | NJ (Neil) Ward | 7 February 99 at Kaikoura |
| 1616 | Lt LE (Eric) Autridge | 22 April 99 at Auckland |
| 30221 | Col RH (Bob) Smith, OBE | 12 May 99 at Auckland |
In the NZ Defence Quarterly, the Minister when interviewed deals sternly with the wetter parts of the report, but opposes the recommendation we favoured, the re-amalgamation of the Defence Force and the Ministry. "There is a healthy tension between the Ministry and the Defence Force. They provide two separate streams of advice", he says happily, preferring tension to teamwork, as this allows the politician to keep control, perpetuating such an absurdity as an army without a coast defence capability, devoid of heavy anti-aircraft or anti-tank artillery, and without any medium guns. He did not have to arrange this, as it was engineered by a cynical immoral previous administration.
The NZ International Review carries an excellent dissection of the report by a retired Naval Officer, who advises the Army "The Corps" mentality belongs to the past. Solders will need to think of themselves not as infantry, gunners, engineers, etc, ... Something could be learnt from the British Royal Marines". Never mind that for centuries every army in the world has found separation of these arms to be necessary. On the other hand, the Navy might find it sensible to install the desirede primary armament on its "floating target" frigates.
The chairman of the perpetrators of the "Beyond 2000" report stated in the press that the army was poorly equipped for even peace-keeping roles, to be promptly contradicted by the acting director of the Centre for Strategic Studies. Mr Quigley bounced back, to be supported by a retired Chief of the General Staff, who was in turn met by a counter-blast from the Present CGS. How splendid that some professionally qualified officers are entering into the arena, even if they are on opposite sides!
All forget that a function of a Defence Force should be to defend: they concentrate on peace-keeping, placidly accepting financial cuts, and placing "affordability" as the prime factor in equipment acquisition. Meantime the Army has become an under-gunned political toy, and may deteriorate, as we are told that the select committee chairman "might be given a special advisory defence role" in a different administration. "The Flowers of the Forest are a'wede away".
Motutapu Gun Position Restoration
DF Mainland and Co. are managing a project for the Motutapu Restoration Trust which involves setting up a "corporate hospitality facility" (to watch the America's Cup racing) at the 6-in gun site on Motutapu Island. At least one gun pit is to be "themed" in its military role. The Trust has been given support by the Army and Navy, and requests our help in obtaining memorabilia (photos, films, uniforms, equipment etc to this end. Jeremy Speight, the administrator, can be found at Private Bag 99912, Newmarket, Auckland or phone (09) 307 9066.
Events & Reunions
At the Dawn Prade at Brown's Bay, we noted attenders MajGen Les Pearce who laid a wreath, and Vic Meyle.
At Mosgiel, the Army News shows a howitzer being fired by 3 hatless members of the Otago and Southland Regiment on Anzac Day. What the HELL is going on?
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Page last updated: July, 1999