GOOD RESPONSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 87, 12 April 1940, Page 3

GOOD RESPONSE.

CALL FOR RECRUITS.

BETTER THAN IN 1914.

MAN-POWER ORGANISATION.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. '"The response with regard to recruiting compares favourably with New Zealand's effort in 1914, in that we will complete the formation of a division and auxiliary troops inside 12 months, whereas during the last war 18 month* elapsed before the same relative position was reached," said the Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, chairman of the National Recruiting Council, addressing the second meeting of the council to-day.

Mr. Fraser expressed the opinion that the recruiting organisation had been placed on foundations which would result in the complete effectiveness of the campaign. Since the last meeting of the council recruiting had proceeded satisfactorily, registrations ' for service averaging just over (iOO weekly. The Second Echelon was in camp complete.

The strength of the Third Echelon had been increased by 1000 about six wteks ago over the figure originally intended, and the position now was as follows: Required for the Third Echelon, 6615; already in camp, S9O; fit men available to proceed to ramp, 4808; men awaiting examination, 1122.-estimated to produce S7.~> fit men; total, 0633.

On behalf of the Minister of Manpower, the Hon. P. (.'. Webb. Mr. Fraser presented a report on manpower organisation. The Government fully appreciated the vital necessity of this country maintaining a continuity of supply of men for defence requirements.

Committees To Be Set Up. It was of the utmost importance that cases be decided at the earliest ]>ossil>le moment after a recruit had offered his services, in order to moet the demand* of the armed forces and to dislocate as little as possible industries where men were engaged in essential work, also to avoid delays which might deter others from offering their services. For these reason* the Central Man-power Council recommended the setting up of committees, not only for each military di>tr.ct, but in the more important centres, the personnel of such committees consisting of men who could be brought together frequently at short notice to deal with applications without delay. The Cabinet now had before it the names of men submitted for 111 committees throughout the Dominion. The Government was ready to proceed with the establishment of those committees.

The man-power organisation report stated that it had submitted to the Government a comprehensive report covering all phases of the problem of replacement, and action was being taken that would enable those who volunteered to be promptly accepted for service, and at the sar.ie time ensure that personnel was available to replace them in primary and secondary industries.

Reference was also made in the report to the action taken in designing a suitable badge and formulating conditions under which it should be issued to eligible men who had enlisted, but had been rejected on account of unfitness or whose acceptance might be postponed because of, the nature of their occupations. A comprehensive survey of manpower had been commenced bv the use of a suitable questionnaire "submitted with the annual declaration of income for social security purposes.

Utilising All Resources. Preparations were in,hand for the compilation of the whole of the data. As soon as the work could be done, with the steps already taken and the comprehensive information that would be secured by the survey, the Government would be in a position to plan satisfactorily for the official utilisation of all its resource* to ensure that the Dominion could play its part in the Empire's war effort.

The Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, said that they had done exceptionally well with the recruiting campaign in every district. The return of the Achilles to New Zealand had given a wonderful opportunity of stimulating interest in recruiting.

Mr. Jones said they wanted as far as possible to have all men in camp in huts during the winter months. He thought they would be able to put the Third Echelon into the new battle dress, which was now in production and which lie believed everyone was satisfied would be an improvement on the present uniform.

The report of the organisation and publicity committee was presented by the Hon. D. Wilson. Details were given in the report of the magnitude of recruiting advertising in the newspapers, and in this connection Mr. Wilson expressed gratification at the promises of co-operation and the assistance that had ben given by the annual conference of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association at Rotorua.