Tackling the Turk : an examination of tactics employed by the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade during the Sinai-Palestine campaign of World War I : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Defence and Strategic Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

This thesis examines the tactics employed by the New Zealand Mounted Rifles (NZMR) Brigade during the Sinai Palestine Campaign of World War I. It seeks to determine how the Boer War shaped mounted rifles tactical doctrine prior to World War I, what tactics were employed during the Sinai Palestine campaign itself, and how the tactics evolved over the course of the campaign. It begins by tracing the New Zealand experience in the Boer War, the ensuing development of mounted rifles tactical doctrine and the formation of yeomanry and mounted rifles units immediately prior to World War I. The thesis follows the campaign in Sinai and Palestine, focusing primarily on patrolling operations and attacks, from the re-building of the NZMR Brigade after its return to Egypt from Gallipoli in December 1915, until the conclusion of operations at Amman in September 1918. The thesis finds that by 1914, New Zealand mounted rifles units trained to employ fire tactics, to move mounted, but to conduct attacks dismounted. New Zealanders undertook extensive mounted patrolling from the outset of the campaign. Most attacks were conducted as 'quick' attacks, despite Turkish defensive positions often being well prepared and stubbornly defended. Most attacks employed envelopment of enemy flanks and followed a general pattern of firing lines of dismounted troopers closing on the enemy under the combined weight of their own and neighbouring rifle fire, machine gun fire and artillery support. Attacks usually concluded with a bayonet charge from short range, once firing lines had got close enough to the enemy. Mounted charges were rarely undertaken, despite the spectacular success of the Australian mounted charge at Beersheba. Indeed, the New Zealand commander, General Chaytor, made a deliberate decision to continue employing dismounted tactics. The thesis finds that longevity in command appointments and the influence and experience of Boer War veterans had a positive effect on the tactics used by the NZMR Brigade

The rise of consultancy and the prospect for regions

Reviews recent research on the growth of `knowledge-intensive services' (KIS), based on processes of consultancy. This trend is a significant symptom of new divisions of labour in the provision of key technical and business expertise especially to the corporate sector. KIS growth is regionally highly concentrated in all European countries, but their influence on patterns and rates of change in other sectors is perhaps becoming even more significant across all regions. Global consultancies, in particular, now link global, national and local sources of expertise, exerting a powerful influence on national and regional KIS through both competitive and collaborative processes. Important elements of economies, including small-medium firms, and peripheral regions may not benefit from these changes, thus accentuating patterns of unequal economic development.

Future developments in aeronautical satellite communications

Very shortly aeronautical satellite communications will be introduced on a world wide basis. By the end of the year, voice communications (both to the cabin and cockpit) and packet data communications will be available to both airlines and executive aircraft. During the decade following the introduction of the system, there will be many enhancements and developments which will increase the range of applications, expand the potential number of users, and reduce costs. A number of ways in which the system is expected to evolve over this period are presented. Among the issues which are covered are the impact of spot beam satellites, spectrum and power conservation techniques, and the expanding range of user services

Long period variables and mass loss in the globular clusters NGC 362 and NGC 2808

The pulsation periods of long period variables (LPVs) depend on their mass and helium abundance as well as on their luminosity and metal abundance. Comparison of the observed periods of LPVs in globular clusters with models is capable of revealing the amount of mass lost on the giant branch and the helium abundance.} {We aim to determine the amount of mass loss that has occurred on the giant branches of the low metallicity globular clusters NGC 362 and NGC 2808. We also aim to see if the LPVs in NGC 2808 can tell us about helium abundance variations in this cluster.} We have used optical monitoring of NGC 362 and NGC 2808 to determine periods for the LPVs in these clusters. We have made linear pulsation models for the pulsating stars in these clusters taking into account variations in mass and helium abundance. Reliable periods have been determined for 11 LPVs in NGC 362 and 15 LPVs in NGC 2808. Comparison of the observed variables with models in the logP - K diagram shows that mass loss of ~0.15-0.2 Msun is required on the first giant branch in these clusters, in agreement with estimates from other methods. In NGC 2808, there is evidence that a high helium abundance of Y~0.4 is required to explain the periods of several of the LPVs. It would be interesting to determine periods for LPVs in other Galactic globular clusters where a helium abundance variation is suspected to see if the completely independent test for a high helium abundance provided by the LPVs can confirm the high helium abundance estimates.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Is the growth of the Scottish economy the 'first priority' for public spending in Scotland

The Scottish Executive, notably the First Minister, has frequently stated that the growth and development of the Scottish Economy is the first priority of government in Scotland

Marketing strategies a motel can use to compete

The aim in this study is to find out what marketing strategies can be used to compete in the motel industry. Interviews were conducted with the manager of a motel. Data was also collected from five other hotels and motels through online booking channels such as Booking.com, Expedia and Agoda. The results show that different strategies are used, such as changing prices daily, use of golf packages for branding, linking with local restaurants. Recommendations for the motel are that they increase customer satisfaction, reviews online content, and use social media as a powerful tool to link with the customer. The introduction of a mobile app for better and easy service for guests is a recommendation

Ripping the Curtain

A conversation with Peter Rollins, questions from the editors of Stance. Peter Rollins is a writer, philosopher, storyteller and public speaker who has gained an international reputation for overturning traditional notions of religion and forming “churches” that preach the Good News that we can’t be satisfied, that life is difficult, and that we don’t know the secret. Challenging the idea that faith concerns questions relating to belief, Peter’s incendiary and irreligious reading of Christianity attacks the distinction between the sacred and the secular. It blurs the lines between theism and atheism and it sets aside questions regarding life after death to explore the possibility of life before death

How does organisational culture influence employee retention within a landscaping business?

This research project set out to answer the question; how does organisational culture influence employee retention within a landscaping business? The purpose of this research project is to understand better the importance of culture and the part that it plays in retaining employees within a landscaping organisation. A qualitative method of five semi-structured interviews was used to gather data for this current research. Four themes identified from literature; Induction Programs and Training, Organisational Culture, Organisational Commitment, and Rewards and Recognition posed as the foundation for the research project. Key results found that a positive induction and effective training improves culture which has a positive influence on retention. It was found that clear communication of organisational vision, pay opportunities and events, positively influences culture, which improves retention. It was concluded that culture plays a significant role not only in retaining employees within a landscaping business but also attracting them. This research project recommends the modification of the current induction program to develop a clear training and advancement opportunity plan, to clearly communicate the vision and values of GGL, to develop a rewards system for employees based on work done and skill development, and to establish a social event plan. This research project provides the foundation for future research in this field specifying on landscapers within the organisation. This research will lead to an understanding of the factors affecting the turnover rate of MasterHouse through secondary research, then researchers will collect data through quantitative research, and develop a strategic plan for MasterHouse to reduce employee turnover. The researcher will use questionnaires to investigate the HR strategies of MasterHouse and employees’ views on MasterHouse current HR process and policies. This research will involve five factors that affect employee turnover rate: Long-term relationships, benchmark, work-life balance, talent management, rewards and motivation. The researcher then connected and compared survey results with information in the literature and developed a practical plan for MasterHouse to reduce employee turnover rate

Climate Change and Game Theory

This survey paper examines the problem of achieving global cooperation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Contributions to this problem are reviewed from non-cooperative game theory, cooperative game theory, and implementation theory. Solutions to games where players have a continuous choice about how much to pollute, games where players make decisions about treaty participation, and games where players make decisions about treaty ratification, are examined. The implications of linking cooperation on climate change with cooperation on other issues, such as trade, is examined. Cooperative and non-cooperative approaches to coalition formation are investigated in order to examine the behaviour of coalitions cooperating on climate change. One way to achieve cooperation is to design a game, known as a mechanism, whose equilibrium corresponds to an optimal outcome. This paper examines some mechanisms that are based on conditional commitments, and could lead to substantial cooperation.Climate change negotiations, game theory, implementation theory, coalition formation, subgame perfect equilibrium, Environmental Economics and Policy,