U.N. FORCE IN EGYPT

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28128, 17 November 1956, Page 10

U.N. FORCE IN EGYPT

550 Recruits In New Zealand

ARMY OFFICES OPEN TODAY (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 16. Almost 550 meh have lodged firm applications to enlist in the New Zealand force for the Middle East. Latest figures available today showed that 300 firm applications had been made in the Northern Military District by noon; 174 by 4.30 p.m. in the Central Military District; and 70 by noon in the Southern Military District. The director of Army public relations (Major H. L. Heatley) said tonight that many more applications were expected. The recruiting offices throughout the. country would be open tomorrow till noon. When asked whether the Army had set a target figure for the number of applications, Major Heatley refused to comment. Many of the applicants in the Central Military District have had previous military experience, mainly as national military trainees. The average age of the men applying has so far been fairly low. On Thursday, the first day of recruiting for the Middle East force, about 350 men made inquiries throughout the country. Of these, 169 lodged firm applications. A man who made an application in a northern centre today speaks seven languages—English. French, German. Malay, Tamil. Spanish, and Italian. This man has served with the Royal Navy, British Field Security in Germany. and in the Police Force in Malaya. Pleasure at the “excellent response to the recruiting campaign was expressed today by the Dominion president of the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association (Mr K. W Fraser). “It has always been part of the policy of the N.Z.R.S.A. to support strongly the United Nations in its endeavours to maintain world peace," said Mr Fraser.