CALLS TO SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 225, 23 September 1938, Page 9

CALLS TO SERVICE.

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

DEFENCE OF PORTS.

MANNING OF SEARCHLIGHTS. At the request of the Chief of the (Uncial Staff Xew Zealand Military Forces. Major-Ccneral J. E. Duigan, the Dominion Council of the Dominion Returned Soldiers' Association has agreed to co-operate with the Xew Zealand Military Forces by endeavouring to provide the personnel to man the searchlights and equipment for the defence of ports of Auckland and Wellington.

In compliance with this decision the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association has launched a scheme to enlist for service returned soldiers for the purposes outlined at this port. .It will be open to men of suitable physical requirements and of reasonable age to offer their services irrespective oi what branch of the Empire forces or arm of the service they have had experience in. The secretary of the Returned Soldiers' Associi i 'on has already received a number of applications. It is desired to commence active operations as soon as possible. Though 00 men is the number aimed at. the quota enlisting will not be confined to that and additional enlistments can be accepted. The unit will be under the officer commanding the Northern Command. Service Qualification. The following are the details in connection with the proposal: — (1) Physical Fitness.—Men should be physically fit to the standard required by the Territorial Force and of reasonable age. (2) I'niforms. Equipment.—This will be supplied, including boots and greatcoat. besides service dress and eventually a full-dress of blue will be available. Denims are provided for working as required to protect the uniform. (■i) Enlistment. —Will be as for other members of the Territorial Force, and for a term of three years. (4) Qualifications.—Men with experience of electrical equipment or stationary internal combustion would be most useful. Men who have been to sea and are skilled in look-out duties at sea could be useful. A certain number of signallers (telephonists) are required. However, lack of these qualifications is no bar. Twenty Days of Training. (5) Parades and Camps.—The year's training consists of twenty days "made up as under: — Ten days' camp. Six davs' course.

Four days' evening or week-ends. A man is "efficient" with 14 days' training, but can be paid for 20 days as above, and may do more than this without pay if he so desires.

(0) I'av.—ls at the rate of 7/ per day for a gunner (0 hours evening parades constitutes one day). Travelling expenses to and from camp or parades are paid. A camp or course allowance of 5/ per day is paid in addition while in cainp or course.

Application forms for ex-servicemen are obtainable from the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association, Wellesley Street, West, City.