THE RECRUITING CAMPAIGN

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22907, 2 January 1940, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE RECRUITING CAMPAIGN

SUCCESS DURING WEEK-END

NEARLY FIFTY ENLISTMENTS

• There was an excellent response to the recruiting campaign during the week-end'. • Although the exact total was not available it appeared that the total number enlisting at various points in the Christchurch area would reach nearly 50. Members of the General Recruiting Committee, equipped with a lorry and loud speaker and an army truck, visited Sumner, New Brighton, and the Addington trotting grounds, making successful appeals. Both the Mayor of Sumner (Mr J. E. Tait) and the Mayor of New Brighton (Mr E. L. Smith.) addressed the gatherings held in their boroughs. A very successful meeting was held at New Brighton, where there was a gathering of nearly 300 people, and eight recruits enlisted. The party also made a successful appeal at the trotting meeting, securing seven recruits. Those who took part were Colonel H. C. Hurst, Messrs Rewi Hill, D. W. Russell; and J. K. Moloney. Appeals were also made by Private Goldsmith, of the first echelon, and Corporal Corliss, of the Z Company of the National Reserve. In the city 13 recruits had enlisted at the end of the afternoon. On Saturday the enlistments totalled approximately 20. The list of recruits for the week-end will not be available till to-day. Farewell to Troops Soldiers of the first .echelon of the Special Force will make their last appearance in Christchurch to-morrow morning before. their departure overseas. The men will come into the city by special train and motor transport from Burnham and will take part In a parade through the streets which will end at Cranmer square. The camp will be open' to visitors in the afternoon. A civic farewell will be extended to the soldiers by the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) at the square at 10.30 a.m. There will be other speakers at the ceremony, including Colonel P. H. Bell, Officer Commanding the Southern Military District. Lieutenant-Colonel L. M. Inglis will command the parade. As well as all units of the first echelon at Burnham, members of the National Military Reserve and of the Returned Soldiers' Association will take part in the parade. The Mayor has requested employers to give their employees an opportunity to see the parade, asking that members of the bands taking part and of the Returned Soldiers' Association should be allowed to assist with the parade. The Canterbury Employers' Association has made an appeal to shopkeepers to close their premises from 9.45 a.m. until 1145 a.m. with the same object, and also requests that flags and bunting be displayed on buildings and shops in honour of the troops.

SOLDIERS LEAVE FOR NORTH

BIG CROWD ON WHARF

A big crowd gathered on the steamer express wharf at Lyttelton on Saturday evening to see the departure _ of the Rangatira, with the last of Jhe soldiers returning from final leave. The vessel was a "full ship," her accommodation being ; taxed to the utmost. The Lyttelton near the wharf, were Ymen wifti parked cars, ttie motor traffic keeping officials very busy for an hour and a half. - '..'«..» As the time drew near for the departure of the Rangatira, there were songs and cheers. The arrival of MajorGeneral B. C. Freyberg, V.C., who was a passenger for the north, was the signal of a burst of cheering and, enthusiastic hand-clapping. The singing and cheering were kept up until the vessel turned through the mol°s.

CEREMONY AT HEATHCOTE

Residents of Heathcote met at the Heathcote Bowling Club's pavilion on Saturday, to make a presentation to Heathcote men going on active service with the second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. „, . , I The convener, Mr A. Bloxham, who ! presided, emphasised the importance of all working together in the war effort, and said he considered that some responsible organisation should be formed in Heathcote. ~.„„„„, Mr C Flavell, chairman of the Heathcote County Council, wished the men godspeed and a safe return, and said ■that we ■ could approach this .war with more confidence than on some other occasions. The example was being set by Britain«of having competent and well-trained officers. He believed Major-General B. C Freyberg was the right man in the right place in charge of the New Zealand troops. ■ Mr Flavell made a presentation to Lieutenant H. C. Bliss and Privates N. Stow and S. Newton. on U ntf fhp Lieutenant Bliss replied, thanking the re S d w£' left to Mr Flavell td f call a public meeting at an early date to form a committee to send-off to future Heathcote troops, to collect for the patriotic fund, to assist with recruiting and to co-operate in every way in' New Zealand's war effort. RALLY AT SUMNER A recruiting rally was held yesterday at the Scarborough end of the Sumner beach. ~, v , r „ rnr Several vehicles, headed by a car from the Christchurch City Council s traffic department, took up a position near the Clock tower at Scarborough. The speakers were Colonel H. ,C. Hurst, the Mayor of Sumner, Mr J. E. Tait, and a private from the machine-gun section at the Burnham Military Camp. . The principal speaker was the Mayor, who appealed to those who were in. the position to do so to join up without' delay. He was supported by Colonel Hurst, and by the member of the Special Force, who described •the benefits of camp life.