ARMY RECRUITS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 172, 22 July 1940, Page 3

ARMY RECRUITS.

VOLUNTARY SYSTEM. ENLISTMENTS CEASING. FINAL REGISTRATIONS TO-DAY The voluntary system of enlistment for the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force will cease to-day after being in operation since early in September la*t, and in future all men for overseas service will be called by conscription ballots. In the city enlistments will be accepted up to nine o'clock to-night at the Drill Hall, Rutland Street, and tip to six o'clock at the booth outside the Chief Post Office. After that men will be called up for service either at home or overseas by conscription ballots.

.Following the decision of the Government shortly after the outbreak of war to raise a special force for service at home or abroad, enlistments were invited from men within sj>ecified ages, and when recruiting offices opened on September 4 there was a rush of men in all parts of the Dominion. In consequence, the quota required was filled in a comparatively short time. The men who flocked to the colours embraced all occupations and many were married with families.

Later it was decided to raise a New Zealand Division on an echelon basis "as and when required,"' to use the term of that time. The Army authorities announced that three echelons would form the division, and two of these echelons are already overseas, while the third is in training in the Dominion. The skeleton of reinforcements is under way, officers and non-commissioned officers now undergoing special instruction. Filling the Breech.

From a purely military point of view, it is stated that the voluntary system war. quite satisfactory in that the quotas were in practically all cases filled by the required time, though occasions did arise when some districts and areas had to step in to fill the breech by making tip deficiencies.

Public opinion increased in favour of conscription and as the result, no doubt, of the representations of all sections of the community, the Government announced the introduction of conscription, this to apply after July 22. Prior to the announcement men came forward steadily, though number* dwindled at times. and in the last few weeks enlistment figures in all districts showed a marked increase. The enlistments toward {he week-end were almost comparable with those in the first few days after recruitin™ offices were opened.

Voluntary enlistments for the Territorial Force also cease to-day. Men who have joined the territorials and are serving, but have not enlisted for overseas service will be included in ballots. No details as to the application of conscription have yet been received at headquarters of the Northern Military District, but it would seem that the need for men is not great, at present. The district's quota for the Fourth Reinforcements has been fixed at 202"). and there are available at present awaiting call to camp 3.343, including Maoris.

From the time recruiting was com-' menred up to Thursday last 22.09(! men ill the Northern Military District had enlisted, and of this number 9183. including Maoris, have been sent to camp. Those classed as permanently unfit total 3344. Over 10,000 City Registrations. In the city area 10,475 men have registered for -service up to Thursday. 8212 of these being at the Drill Hall aiid 22fio at the booth outside the Chief Post Office since it was opened on February l(i. The total registrations were reduced by 682 on account of the transfer of a number of men, including 278 Maoris, who are grouped separately. i Of the 9793 Europeans left after the transfers had been effected there was a total of 6185 fit men in No. 1 (Auckland) area. Those dispatched to camp total 4172 and 1451 are waiting to be called. The balance is made up of 237 I who have heen placed on the deferred I list, 179 who are not immediately available, and 146 who have been either withdrawn or. whose registrations have been cancelled. Those classed as permanently unfit total 2100, 749 are on the temporary unfit list, 405 are awaiting medical examination, and the registrations of 354 were cancelled or withdrawn before undergoing the medical test. Quota for Area Filled. The area's quota for the Fourth Reinforcements, which will follow the Third Echelon into camp, has been fixed at 757. and there are 1451 fit men who i are available.

From the separate figures kept in respect to Maoris it is stated that of the 278 men who enlisted 150 were classed fit. The area sent 59 to camp, 71 are awaiting dispatch, the registrations of 10 have been withdrawn or cancelled, eight are not immediately available, and two were placed on the deferred list. The medical test resulted in (i 4 being placed on the permanently unfit list and 22 being graded as temporarily unfit. Of the remainder, 17 are awaiting examination and 25 registrations have been cancelled or withdrawn before the medical examination. The total sent to camp from the area, including Europeans and Maoris, is 4231.