SECOND ECHELON

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22895, 16 December 1939, Page 14

SECOND ECHELON

MINISTER’S APPEAL FOR MEN COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT CAMPAIGN (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, December 15. An appeal for recruits to bring the second echelon of the Special Military Force up to full strength and provide a nucleus for the third echelon, was made by the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), in a statement tonight. Enlistments will be on the same conditions as those for the first echelon. “The first echelon has completed preliminary training,” said Mr Jones, “and will shortly leave for advanced training overseas. Mobilisation camps will then be available for the training of the second echelon. Numbers of men who have already enlisted and been passed as medically fit are waiting to enter camp with the second echelon, but more are required to make up the full strength, and provide a nucleus for the third echelon. “Those prepared to offer their services should do so as soon as possible. Officers for the second echelon have been training since November 8. Noncommissioned officers are also in training. Their number will be supplemented from later enlistments. Some who volunteered for the first echelon wore rejected on account of minor dental defects. There will be no further rejections on this ground, as all such troubles will be rectified by army dental officers in camp. ‘‘On the day recruiting opened for the first echelon the volunteers exceeded the total number required. Volunteers for the second echelon may have difficulty in beating this record, but they can equal it. Service with the forces involves a sacrifice, but the Government has always believed that necessary sacrifice would bo made when the need was known. The men on final leave have obeyed the cull of duty, and the country honours them. I am confident their fellow men will not falter now in the national effort to maintain and guarantee the safety of New Zealand and the British Commonwealth. “I- have arranged for the continuation of the central recruiting commit-, tee, and the following officers will carry out the campaign with myself as chairman: Colonel O. H. Mead. D. 5.0., Adjutant-General; Mr F. B. Dwyer, of Army Headquarters; Major R. E. Murray, army publicity officer; Major E. H. Whiting, of the Central Military District: Mr J. T. Paul, Director of Publicity. ‘T cordially welcome the assistance of territorial associations, local bodies, representatives of other organisations, and citizens generally to ensure the success of this appeal.” SERVICE OVERSEAS SOUGHT APPLICANTS FROM COASTAL BATTERIES WELLINGTON, December ,15. The Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) said to-day that a good many applications were being received by the Army authorities for tl\o release of men who had been serving with the Fifteenth Heavy and the Twentysecond anti-aircraft buttery on coast defence and anti-aircraft duties. Those had been treated as sympathetically as possible, but it must be realised that In these highly technical units there was a definite limit to the number of men who could be released, as it was essential that the efficiency of the batteries be maintained. Many on coast defence and antiaircraft work naturally desired to join the Special Force for overseas, and arrangements hud been made for a certain number to transfer. This had also necessitated additional men being recruited and trained. Any unmarried men between the ages of 19 nd 21 and 30 and 40, desiring to serve, should apply to the nearest defence office. AIR FORCE CHURCH PARADE PLAN FOR TO-MORROW About 000 men and 80 officers from the Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Wigram, will take part in the station personnel's • first combined church parade to-morrow. The parade will fall in at Cranmer square as a wing in squadron mass at 10.30 a.m., and will be preceded by pipe bands, who have offered their services to play on the march. The march to the Cathedral will be along Montreal street, Cashel street, and Colombo street. The service at the Cathedral will be conducted by the Rev. S. E; Woods, and the preacher will bo the Rev. E. A. Osmers, of St. Paul’s Church, Papanui Simultaneously a service, will bo conducted at the Roman Catholic Cathedral