Samoa's Defence Force
p. 55 · Read in the full issue
From Our Own Correspondent
Apia, May 7.
AS previously announced, the N.Z. Gov ernment has decided to raise in Western Samoa a volunteer defence force for the purpose of internal police and local defence, in an emergency.
In addition to the Territorial Force of untrained younger men, the Government resolved to create an emergency reserve force composed of older men with some military training, mostly returned sol diers of British and allied countries. The organisation of this force is now prac tically completed: every able-bodied Eu ropean eligible to the force has now been attested and training is proceeding satisfactorily. Members of the force ap pear to be keen to attain a high stand ard of efficiency.
The following officers have been ap pointed to the Force: Lieutenant-Colonel W. C. Harley, Commanding Officer, sec onded from the Nelson Marlborough and West Coast Regiment: Captain T. V.
Fitzpatrick (North Auckland Regt.); Lieutenant E. T. Pleasants (Wellington West Coast Regt.); Lieutenant A. S.
Batty (Auckland Regt.); Lieutenant J.
K. H. Clark (N.Z. Corps of Signals); Lieutenant Pilot Officer *A. W. R. Coker (Royal N.Z. Air Force).