APPEAL TO ALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 122, 26 May 1939, Page 6

APPEAL TO ALL.

DEFENCE OF N.Z. PERSONAL SERVICE. TERRITORIALS OR RESERVE. BENEFITS V/ORTM DEFENDING. Illy Ti |n(fr,i|,li !'r. ■ \m.nrln l|..n I \\ I- 1.1.1 \i. !i 'N. |hi d.iv. Fiirthe, .|,•!.,,;. ~f ii„. c,.\,.| n ~-,.r-lld'eii,-,. lld'eii,-,. |, ~:,,,,. w,■ it 111,, ,1 I,\ I In, i I.it-f in the (ie ul Staff, Ma j,,r- ---• leiiei ,i I J K, I lui- in, in a sUilcment to lie -ihl I lie recent comprehensive -I iiemeul |.\ the I'linie Minister, tic IM. lion. M. .1. SiIVHgH. had been u splendid lonic to the army in New ZenI mil. The response was widespread mil Mil |«fni ti'iy. tieueral Duigaii a-ked "\ cry y nine, man hho had not yet made up his mind to join the Territorial Force to ieiTieniher the freedom and the military and social lienelits lie enjoyed as a citi/eti nf ihe Dominion within the fhelter of tho RritisU t'oinmonweallli of Nations.

He said ho felt they would ngree that personal service to the community in the form of training now for its defence was the best return they could make for the good things they received.

"Tho response to Mr. Wav age's appeal during the last two or three duys has been widespread and satisfactory. There have, however, been numerous inquiries regarding the scheme, and I wish tu take thlis opportunity of explaining some of the de-taiU for the benefit of the thousands of willing men who wish to offer their services," said fJenernl Duigan.

"We are culling for recruit* for four different jobs. Tho regular force requijjtfS urgently 100 unmarried men between tho a got of 20 and 25, who are prepared to serve for five yearn with a view to, remaining in the Army mm a profession. I am sure there are many young men of the right type in New Zealand who are keen on soldiering and who will pfTer their services as regular soldiers if thejr know the opportunity is available.

Territorial Expansion. "Our second appeal is for (1000 mora territorial*, i.e., men bet wan the ages of lft and 32, prefernJbly over 20. Am Mr. Savage announced, the Territorial Force is being expanded immediately to a peacß strength of 10,000. Apart from inareiisea in nil technical units—artillery and so on—thn most important increase will tako place in the nine country battalions and mounted rifle regiments. All those unit* are building up to their old regimental strength.

"I appeal to young men outside the main cities who are fit enough physically to eoruo forward and fill the ranks of their own provincial regiments. Every man who volunteers as a territorial now iind trains now in doing more to 'build a nation' than any All Black. We want (1000 more- territorials to build up our first line of land defence.

"It is not a case of every young man should be a territorial, hut rather that only the best are wanted for this public duty. If vou are ambitious aim at being ft leaner in our democratic army. The best recruit of to-day will be—not 'may be—the colonel of to-morrow. Encourage Your Sweethearts. "May I acid a message to the young women of New Zealand. Yon know without any explanation what a tremendous Influence you exert in the matter of personal service for home defence. Encourage your brothers, or better still; your sweethearts, to join up'. Take an interest In their training and their welfare. You can be proud of them. "If war does come you may be vitally concerned. You can all help If you will. I appeal 1«r your co-operation to help the coast artillery and infantry units responsible for the protection of the main ports, the units which must be ready for service at very short notice. "We have been training during the past IS months speoial reservists for these units. Wo want 250 men now. They go into camp at Auckland, Wellington and Christcliuroh for a period of five months during which they receive dual training in the requisite military work nnd'also in a wide choice of trades. This is an excellent opportunity for men who lire temporarily unemployed. "In addition to the above three special categories, the Prime Minister has nppoaled for further men between thn ages of 20 and «5 who are jireparexl to serve in some military capacity inrririliiig to their ago and qualifications for borne defence in New Zealand in an emergency.

"Let mi' deal at once with one query which has iiomi raised very-often In the last two nr three davs. The offer of service U f ov home defence only. It involves no obligation to carry out trainiiig in pence time, though we are going to select. r,ooo of those who offer and W'vo them an opportunity, if they so desire to curry out a certain amount of refresher training now in peace.

Free To Withdraw. "There Is no limit whatever to the number of men who wish to offer their services in the national military reserve rnnir offer involve. «„ honourable undertaking to serve if the need ever urines. If n, man feel* he cannot under-! take the duty to which* he has been "Hotted, he is perfectly free to either ask for a clinnye or to withdraw his offer of service. Whin nn emergency arises, except for the 5000 specially chosen for „jmo truiniiiu in peace, the remainder of the reserve will not be allotted specific tasks beforehand. We require, however, a total of 6000 men who are

I preparer! to undertake eitiier of two duties jn peace: First i«. to he organised I.i - M'ser\e units fur specific duties in I certain area-. 'I he\ are required mainly I lor immediate defence ot purls niid for ; ant i-.i ireraft and una id duties in the main citie-; in addition, a number of men. prrfe>*ah|\ th"«c with experience !an ulliriTs and as iiou commissioned , lie ,•■ .. in- ,i- -peiialir-l -. will he asked i . .illend an annual refresher course. I . .' iiii'ii will be teijtiired on inobiliaa- • ;..n i ~ pll key pn-il ions. | ■li will he noticed no reference is 1 m i,1,. 1,, m, ii bet ween Ihe a'.'es of "_*(l and \Z who li:i \ i had preiioi'- territorial {hi ..the,' li.iiuiii'j. Til,- place for the-e • men. if t hey w i-li tn help defend their | nw n count i \ , i - in the tei'i'il nri.il for,". If the, nml i Del ing t heir ser\ i'-es i li.it ,a, up!"- .ne not a v ailable in the lerril orial unit - .it t heir own emit re. I Impe l lie\ w ill pi ice their names on the wait in,/ h-i~ re.nlv to join when there i, room f,,r t]„',,,. : -