FEWER RECRUITS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 243, 13 October 1936, Page 3

FEWER RECRUITS.

TERRITORIAL FORCE. . "RESULT OF STATE POLICY." NEED FOR CABINET LEAD. f "TJie question of recruiting is one that > still occasions concern to the executive," , states the Hon. Eliot R. Davis, M.L.C., , chairman of the general executive of the t New Zealand Territorial Association in ■ the report to he presented at the fifth ; annual general meeting in the Arts Hall, Kitchener Street, to-morrow evening. "It is hoped that a resolution recently carried at one of the executive meetings, which refers to the possibility of the secretary's services being used as a recruiting officer for the Northern Command, will he soon brought into effect; and that a recruiting campaign, such as is at present operating in Australia, will be satisfactorily established here," the report states. "No action, however, can be taken in this regard until the defence policy relative to the territorial force is disclosed by the Government. It is, of course, hoped that the Government will see its way to afford to the territorial added inducements in the near future. "The attendance at annual camps was most disappointing —several units having less than 50 per cent strength in camp. It is obvious that the co-oper-ation of employers is more necessary than ever, and that only by impressing 011 the general public the necessity of supporting the territorial force will real success be attained. Steady Decline Since March. "The territorial force in the command reached its maximum strength on March 1, wit,li 3215 in all ranks. Since that date the strength lias steadily declined, and on September 1 stood at 2980. Of this number 2(iS are due to be struck off strength as soon as their liles are cleared, so that the actual effective strength was only 2718. There is little doubt that this steady fall in strength is merely a reflection of the present uncertainty over the Government policy, and, in view of Cabinet Ministers' published doubts as to the necessity for a territorial force, it is likely to be accelerated unless a definite lead is given at an early date by Cabinet. "It is again noted that the strength of the Ist Battalion, Auckland Regiment, is unsatisfactory (a fall of 30 in 12 months), so that the various efforts to assist recruiting for this unit have proved singularly fruitless." During the year ended September 30, 71 new members and donors were enrolled, and five life members elected. The present roll total was 217. Finances, although small, were in a sound position. There was still room for a greater expansion of activities which were necessarily hampered through lack of funds. This was the second year they had been without Government aid. Apart from organisation expenses, the whole of the money expended had been for the benefit of the troops. These included grants to units for camps and bivouacs, provision for sports material and the purchase of trophies, and , expenses in connection with social func- , tions, including the King's Birthday parade. The Rotorua branch had been very active, and a branch had been opened at Morrinsville. Thanks were due to the various centres and all who , had assisted the association. ,