ARMY TRAINING

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23493, 22 November 1941, Page 8

ARMY TRAINING

STATEMENT BY MINISTER REFERENCE TO CAMP DATES “This is the most critical year in the existence of our Dominion, and every endeavour is to be made to reach the highest standard of efficiency in Army training, and the co-operation of all employers is sought to end,” stated the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Joges), in a letter received by the Mid-Canterbury provincial executive .) of. the Farmers’ Union at its meeting yesterday. . . There were many factors which en-’ tered into fixing dates for camps, the Minister’s letter added. There were,// some 3000 recruits due to complete their recruit training at the end of December, and it was intended that they should proceed direct to units ana higher training commencing early in January. If the men were returned to industry and withdrawn again for training in March or April, it wouia be more inconvenient to employers than if they completed their training in one period. It was not satisfactory to have a large number of men under canvas in camps in March, April, ana May, because of the weather. The Minister said that it was esi> mated that not more than 400 harvesters would be affected by the camp held in January and February. Provision was made for cases to be sudmitted to the Manpower Committees. where it was desired that training, oe deferred to a more convenient penoa. .