ARMY RECRUITING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23479, 17 October 1939, Page 9

ARMY RECRUITING

VOLUNTEERS WANTED SECOND AND THIRD ECHELONS OFFICERS BEING SELECTED MILITARY RESERVE NOW FULL [BY TELEGBAril —I'RESS ASSOCIATION] "WELLINGTON, Monday The Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. .Tones, stated to-day that as there were now sufficient enlistments in tho National Military Bescrve it is not intended to ask for further enrolments. The total enlistments to October 13, he said, were 35,407, which had given the Army Department an adequate number for service in the three classes of reservists. Becruiting would, therefore, be discontinued as from October 21. On behalf of the Government, Mr. Jones expressed deep appreciation of the splendid response and for the enthusiasm of those undergoing training. The Minister emphasised that the statement concerning recruiting applied only to tho Military Beserve and not to the special force. Becruiting for tho latter would bo vigorously continued and those who desired to join the second or third echelon could enlist now, although they would not be called up until later. Mr. Jones announced that officers for the second echelon of the special force were now being selected throughout New Zealand. Ho said those officers who wished to be included should report and register immediately at the nearest Army office for examination and selection. Mr. Jones added that tho age limits had been increase'd by five years, which would now enable many officers to serve who were previously ineligible. The new age limits are: —Subalterns 35, captains 40, majors 45, lieutenantcolonels 50. Officers selected for service will encamp on November 8 for a special training course. Becruiting of other ranks is proceeding as usual, but non-commissioned officers and men would not be called up until later. As in the case of the officers, however, non-commissioned officers would precede other ranks for a special course of training.

ROTORUA MAORI RECRUITS PARADES FOR INFANTRY DRILL [nv TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] ROTORUA, Monday A parade of over 100 Maori recruits in the special Maori rifle battalion was addressed bv Mr. A. F. Moncur, M.P., who expressed regret 'that a training centre for the battalion had not been established at . Rotorua instead of Palmerston North, but said that ho had been overruled in this by the committeo which had decided the matter. A request was made to Mr. Moncur by the men that he should endeavour to make arrangements for them to be supplied with rifles for drill purposes. For some considerable time a number of the men have been carrying out infantry drill under returned soldier officers, and it is now hoped to obtain practice in small arms drill, with the object of training men likely to be suitable nou-commissioned officers. To date 19S enlistments for the Maori battalion have been received in the Rotorua district, 113 of the men being single. CONVALESCENT SOLDIERS HOSPITALITY IN HAMILTON [yitosr our owx correspondent] HAMILTON, Monday A statement that there were 16 soldiers from the Hopuhopu camp in tlicr Waikato Hospital suffering from influenza and the results of minor accidents was made by the Mayor, Mr. H. D. Caro, at a meeting of a women's patriotic organisation in Hamilton today. The Mayor asked residents to offer hospitality to these men for a week following their discharge from hospital, and before their readmission to camp. Hospitality was offered by many of those present, and the matron of the hospital, Miss D. Menzies, accepted the offers.

WET CANTEENS WAIAPU SYNOD'S APPROVAL [llV TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] NAPIER, Monday The synod of the Diocese of Waiapu passed the following resolution tonight: "That this synod approves of the principle of wet canteens to safeguard the morale of the troops, and recommends that this resolution bo sent to the proper authorities." ,