RECRUITING IN CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22747, 27 June 1939, Page 10

RECRUITING IN CANTERBURY

REPORT TO TERRITORIAL ASSOCIATION

“OBLIGATION OF VOLUNTEERS”

The resolution of the annual conference of the Returned Soldiers’ Association that all enlisting territorials carry out their obligation of service relating to the proper length of service and the oath taken by them, was endorsed by the Territorial Association of Canterbury last night on the motion of Messrs D. W. Russell and J. K. Moloney, Advice was received from the District Military Headquarters that recruits were steadily offering and that no men of suitable type for service would be refused. If at any centre a sufficient group was offering to warrant separate instructors, arrangements would be made as soon as possible to give it. It would be impossible to arrange for district training where only a very small number w'as available. These men would have the opportunity of offering to serve at nearby centres. This instruction was in answer to urgent applications from country districts to the association for some definite advice as to the possibility of forming local units, particularly where the establishment number required for the unit was exceeded. “Active and Increased Effort”

Mr Moloney: The gravity of the international position demands active and increased effort. If the voluntary appeal fails we might be driven to compulsory service. War may come and we must be ready. Events are slowly forcing a change of views and the sands are running low in the hour glass.

Mr W. W. McKinney: What is vital is not to lose the services of men who are offering. Colonel W. Murphy; The defence headquarters instruction seems to settle the question by a clear decision that no suitable men will be refused. Colonel G. J. Smith said that much of the Government defence report no doubt could not be published. In the meantime the association must proceed steadily with its job to get volunteers. Colonel H. C. Hurst; If only requires something definite as to formation of units and the men will come. My experience in country districts justifies me in saying that if a unit is wanted we could guarantee to find the men to fill it. The men are there—keen and willing. A letter was received from the Vacuum Oil Company Proprietary, Ltd., asking for a lecture to its staff because of the interest shown by the members of the staff in offering their services in some capacity for the defence of New Zealand. Mr R. A. Cutfibert; A splendid request which should be met at once. The committee resolved accordingly. Mr J. L. Hay said the same interest was being shown by the wbmen’s clubs and societies in the town. Women were offering their services. Where were they to go? “To the Red' Cross and V.A.D.,” said Mr J. G. L. Vernon. These were growing so large in numbers as almost to embarrass the committee. The following motion was carried about the proposed recruiting appeal; “That this association, impressed by the increasing gravity of the international situation, welcomes the announcement made on behalf of the Government that an intensive recruiting campaign is about to be launched, including the appointment of special recruiting staff, and pledges its wholehearted support of the endeavours of the Government to this end.” / The meeting closed with a discussion upon the suggestion that rifle clubs be encouraged to form sniper platoons. VOLUNTARY SYSTEM RETURNED SOLDIERS* ATTITUDE

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

WELLINGTON, June 26. The view that Major-General J. E. Duigan had failed to distinguish between the voluntary system and the serving volunteer when he criticised the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association’s attitude on national defence was expressed to-day by the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., president of the association. Mr Perry emphasised that the association had not said that the serving territorials were a failure, but that the voluntary system itself had failed. “The statement made by MajorGeneral Duigan was doubtless intended to refer to a resolution in favour of compulsory national, universal service passed unanimously by the annual general meeting of the council of the association,” said Mr Perry. “In his statement Major-General Duigan stated, inter alia, ‘ln my opinion anyone who says the serving territorials are a failure is not only saying something contrary to fact, but also something definitely harmful to our preparations for national defence.’ ”

Mr Perry emphasised that what the resolution said and what those who spoke to it said was that the voluntary system - itself had failed. Mr Perry added that the association would never do or say anything “definitely harmful to our preparations for national defence” and that no body in New Zealand had a truer appreciation of the work being done by the serving volunteer than it had.