GOOD RESPONSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 154, 1 July 1940, Page 4

GOOD RESPONSE.

OVER 200 EX-SERVICEMEN. AUCKLAND BATTALION RESERVE. Although there were persons who believed that predatory powers would not consider New Zealand worth bothering about they should consider the importance of the Dominion as a naval baee in the Southern Pacific, said Oaiptain J. L. Scoullar, in the view that the invasion of New Zealand wee not eo remote as in the Great War. Captain Scoullar was addressing a packed audience of ex-eervicemen and their wives in the Tivoli Theatre last evening at a recruiting rally for the Auckland Battalion, Claes 11., of the National Military Reserve. The chairman was Mr. J. W. Kendall, president of the Auckland branch of the Returned Soldiers , Association.

Captain Scoullar pointed out the importance of New Zealand ae a producer of food for Great Britain, and eaid that ite possession migfat be considered worth while by an enemy ae a base for operations against Australia. An untrained soldier was woree than useless, and although methods had changed eince 1914-18 experience had shown that returned men quickly adapted themselves to the now conditions. A returned man who desired to tight if neceesary in the defence of hie country inuet undergo the training based upon the new ideas. New Zealand would be the toughest proposition in any offensive action and could, and would, be defended. "We have a well-equipped Air Force and the aim now is to provide an army able to deal with any enemy audacious enough to land on these shores," scid Caiptain Scoullar.

Major M. R. Reed told the audience that those enrolling with the 'battalion reserve would be required to perform 40 days' training in the year, which still had ten months to go. Four full daye for each calendar month could be performed by four even in? parades, which would count a« one day's training, two Saturday afternoon and two Sunday parades.

As a result of the appeal over 200 men sig-ned enrolment cards for the reserve. Selections were rendered during the evening by the band of the Ist Battalion, Auckland Regiment.