The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JUNE 5th, 1939. NATIONAL MILITARY RESERVE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 20, 5 June 1939, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JUNE sth, 1939. NATIONAL MILITARY RESERVE

IN the first week following the Prime Minister's appeal, 1465 enrolments in the National Military Reserve have been recorded. This is a highly satisfactory result, as the flow of enrolments is increasing rapidly, the number on the last day of the week almost equalling the enrolments for the first three. A comparison between the districts discloses interesting contrasts. The Wellington postal district easily leads those of the , other three cities whose figures are evenly matched. Taranaki is well clear of the Waikato, while the Napier district, which includes Gisborne and Hastings, has a total equal to Auckland's. It is dear that the appeal is being answered splendidly throughout the Dominion,, and that when the numbers of cards applied for are filled in and returned the. total will swell rapidly, giving the New Zealand military forces their foundation for mobilisation —infantry reserves, instructors and garrisons. But the real test of the success of Mr Savages appeal and of New Zealand's ability to make its volunteer force effective is the result of the territorial recruiting. So far no figures have been released and the extent of the early recruiting cannot be gauged. To lift the territorial force from 9000 to 16,000 and to recreate the regiments on full peacetime strength will not' be an easy task. For its success it will demand the enthusiastic cooperation with the Government, of employees and of the youth of New Zealand. Recently the campaign was carried a step further when the Minister for Defence, the Hon F. Jones, spoke to the whole of New Zealand, and it is to be hoped that the second week of the appeal will find territorial and reserve enrolments at their peak. It| is to be hoped further, that the effect produced by the Government will be given tangible proof by the influx of recruits from Whakatane. It is understood that there have been numerous applications for enrolment cards from the local post office. The response to the territorial enlistment campaign has been most gratifying and Whakatane is justly proud of its grow ing contingent,. There is still room for improvement however jjnd it ife hoped that all young men who may be eligible will show their public spiritedness by linking up with the local territorial unit, and making it one of the strongest in the province.