PICK OF NATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 219, 16 September 1939, Page 11

PICK OF NATION.

FIRST VOLUNTEERS.

OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE.

TRIBUTE BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. "The response this week from the young manhood of New Zealand has been truly magnificent," said the Minister of Defencc, the Hon. F. Jones, to-day. "Not only in numbers, but also in physique, the volunteers who rushed us on the first day and who have been coming forward steadily every day since are among tlie pick of the nation, and in every way worthy of the traditions established bv New Zealand troops in the South African War and the Great War. '"The flow continues, and although our requirements for immediate training are more than filled, it has been decided to continue taking enlistments, for, after the tirsl 0000 men have completed their training, they will be followed into camp by further echelons according to a regular and pre-arranged plan.

"Shortly we hope to be able to jisist would-be volunteers in other than the main centres by opening recruiting offices nearer to their homes. I fully recognise that so far recruits from country districts and from outlying townships have been put to considerable trouble to reach the army offices.

"Everyone is very anxious to take an active part in our national war effort. As a result of this commendable enthusiasm the Army Department is being inundated with telephone inquiries and written personal offers of all forms of service, which properly belong to other Government Departments. These offers have now grown to such dimensions that it is embarrassing to the Ariuv authorities. All building construction for military camps and other defence work is being carried out with the utmost speed by the Public Works Department. Offers of technical assistance for such work should therefore be made to the Public Works Department and not the Army headquarters.

"Offers of personal service can still be made through the National Military Reserve organisation. Persons with special qualifications as linquists and so 011 should mention the facts on their offer of service card, which can be obtained from the nearest post office. "The main point is that the Army authorities are being embarrassed byenthusiastic offers of assistance at this stage, when they arc fully employed on their proper duties of organising and training men for military service," the Minister concluded.