DISTRICT PLATOONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 89, 17 April 1939, Page 9

DISTRICT PLATOONS.

VOLUNTEERS CAMPAIGN.

HOW LOCAL BODIES CAN AID.

The formation of district platoons is to play an important part in the campaign for the enlistment of 1000 volunteers for the territorial forces, according to a statement made this morning by the Mayor of One Tree Hill, Mr. I. J. Goldstine. Mr. Goldsti.ne is also chairman of the Auckland Suburban Local Bodies' Association.

Mr. Goldstine said he had spoken with the Mayor of Auckland, Sir Ernest Davia, and with the officer commanding the Northern Military District, Colonel N. McD. Weir, on an aspect which interested him- especially, the sponsoring of units by the districts in the metropolitan area.

Sir Ernest had asked him, Mr. Goldstine, added, to Undertake the organisation of suburban local bodies with a view to opening recruiting offices in the districts affected. He was sure the local bodies would ' give their assistance. Under the arrangement each local body would enrol its own district recruits, who, as far as possible, would retain the identity of their district.

CALL TO SERVICE.

OFFICERS MAKE APPEAL.

The British Legion to-day issues a call to all ex-servicemen and women who are willing to eerve in the Dominion if required, to contact the secretary of the •organisation. 'This appeal is made in addition to that made by Captain G. Hnmphreye-Davis to former officers of the Imperial Forces. Captain Arthur Harrison-Lee, a former officer of the Sea forth Highlanders, is desirous of hearing from any of the old regiment who are prepared to place their services at the diepoeal of the Dominion for defence purposes.

PULPIT REFERENCES.

DtJTT AND ITS CALL.

The Mayor, Sir Ernest Davia, has sent his appeal for 1000 volunteers for the territorials to all ministers of religion. Some of them referred to it from their pulpits yesterday. The Very Rev. Dr. R. C, Gillie, formerly of Marylebone Church, London, who is at present occupying the pulpit of St. David's Presbyterian Church, .nentioucd it to the morning and evening gregatione.

There were calls going out for public service both In England and in N?w Zealand, he said. "Everybody may feel railed to the same kind of service, ho added. "His conscience may perhaps forbid him to fill one of the 1000 vacancies in the territorials in Auckland; but, if he is under the constraint nf a great purpoee, he will be sitting more loosely to a good many er.rthly things, so that the call of duty will be more clearly heard and moie swifdy answered."