RECRUITING IN CITY

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22812, 11 September 1939, Page 8

RECRUITING IN CITY

Students’ Building to be Used STATEMENT BY AREA OFFICER The Canterbury University College Students’ Union Building will be used for recruiting in Christchurch for the special military force of 6600 men, which has been called for by the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones). Christchurch applicants for enlistment are to apply for registration there to-morrow morning, and the medical board will sit in the building later to examine applicants. “The building was lent through the courtesy of the Students’ Association,” said Major H. M. Foster, area staff officer. “It will’ be used for recruiting and medical examination till the draft is sent away, and then it will go back to it., normal use. Men volunteering should go there to register in the first place, and the medical examination will be held later.” He said that men who wished for immediate further information by telephone should get into touch with the Army Department at the King Edward Barracks and not at the Students’ Union, but there was no need to do this as all the information necessary was given in the Minister’s statement published on Saturday. He emphasised the meed for noting the type of men required, and that it would be desirable to repeat the statement on this point:— (a) Serving members of the Territorial Force. (b) Members of the infantry section of the Special Reserve. (c) Members of Class 1 of the National Military Reserve (i.e., men who have undergone not less than two years’ territorial training). (d) Other single men with or without military training. The Minister’s statement had made it clear that men should not offer their services till to-morrow so as not to impede the work of the military officers in the meantime. “There have been a number of inquiries'since the Minister’s statement was published,” he said, when told of a message from Dunedin that a quick response had been made there as early as Friday night. He said that applicants were being told to wait till to-morrow in accordance with the terms of the statement. Offices for enlistment in the district would be opened in Timaru and Ashburon as well as in Christchurch.

DUNEDIN MEN ANXIOUS TO SERVE Many Inquiries to Defence Department (fEESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) DUNEDIN, September 10. The appeal for 6600 recruits had a quick response in Dunedin. As early as Friday night, only a few hours after the appeal was made, Defence Department officials were rung up by men wanting to make sure that they would be in the first 6000.