CALL FOR MEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 10, 12 January 1940, Page 5

CALL FOR MEN.

RECRUITING RALLIES.| ( GRATIFYING RESULTS. APPEAL BT MINISTER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. "I confidently make an earnest appeal for recruits from every walk of life 60 that our Second Expeditionary Force will never lack full strength and will be backed by the unity of all the people," said the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, at a recruiting rally in Wellington to-day. The Minister said recruiting rallies and other efforts on the part of citizens not only encouraged recruiting, but also showed the unity and determination oi the people of New Zealand to play their part effectively in the war against Nazi German tryanny and aggression. He expressed warm appreciation of the work which representative organisations had already done in securing recruits, and gratification at the results being obtained.

In particular, Mr. Jones emphasised the assistance rendered by the Returned Soldiers' Association, stating- that he had been bombarded with letters and calls from old soldiers who declared that they were as fit to fight as ever, men who served in the last war were going overseas again, and he felt sure that they would give as good service now as they had ever done in the past.

So far, the Minister continued, the response to the call for young men hari been highly satisfactory. The first echelon had been seen by the people] after its training period, and recruiting, for the second echelon was making f*oo<l progress, . particularly in the northern and central military districts. It was certain that by the end of this week all requirements for the second echelon would have been met.

The Government wanted a steady march of volunteers, not only for the second - and third echelons, but for the

subsequent reinforcements until New Zealand had played her full part in the: defence of liberty and justice. Some' people had criticised him, said Mr. Jones, for not going on with recruiting when the first echelon went into oainp, but there were difficulties. They did not know if the troops were going overseas or where they were going. "Right Man in Right Place." Paying a tribute to Major-General B. C. Freybeng, V.C., the Minister said that he was the right man in the right place.

"We have reason to have full confidence in the future service of our soldiers," Mr. Jones added. "They are the heirs to the splendid traditions of the men of Anzac and the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force, who won fame on the hills of Gallipoli, and I feel sure that the lads of to-day. will not allow the flame to be quenched or even dimmed."

The Minister also paid tribute to the young New Zealanders who had already achieved great distinction in naval and aerial warfare overseas.