CALL-UP FOR K FORCE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26196, 21 August 1950, Page 8

CALL-UP FOR K FORCE

MEN TO ENTER CAMP ON AUGUST 29

REINFORCEMENT GROUP TO BE ASSEMBLED LATER

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON. August 20. After the departure oi K force for combat duty in Korea, a small reinforcement group will be assembled in New Zealand. This was announced by the Minister of Defence (Mr T. L. Macdonald) on Saturday when he (discussed mobilisation and training arrangem'ents for officers and men of the formation.

Mr Macdonald said that although most of the men would enter camp on August 29 or within a few days afterwards, there would be small supplementary intakes later. They would be needed to replace losses during training and to meet any minor changes in the composition of the force. The plans for a reinforcement group had also to be applied. “The selection of volunteers for the force is now well advanced, and those required to enter camp on August 29 may expect to receive their call-up notices within a few days.” said Mr Macdonald. “Arrangements for medical boarding have been handled smoothly and efficiently by the Department of Labour and Employment, which in turn has been greatly assisted by the willing co-operation of doctors, dentists, and staffs of hospital X-ray departments.” Mr Macdonald said the number of volunteers had been greatly in excess of the establishment required. The selection had therefore been restricted to those considered most eligible. About twice as many men as were needed had been medically examined. Those men, in the main, had been called forward in the order in which they had volunteered, and the final selection had been made from those within this group who had been found fit. i As a general rule, preference had been given to single men under 27, Mr Macdonald said. However, some other volunteers had been accepted because they had experience which fitted them for a specialist appointment. Army authorities were at present classifying those volunteers who had not gained a place in the initial selection. As scon as its work was completed, probably in aoout a week or 10 days, a notice would be sent out informing volunteers whether they would be required at a later date. Mr Macdonald said he realised that failure to be selected would cause some disappointment. He coifld assure all the volunteers that the Government appreciated the spirit in which they had offered their services.