TERRITORIAL RECRUITS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29178, 12 April 1960, Page 14

TERRITORIAL RECRUITS

Progress In S.M.D.

The Southern Military District’s territorial infantry strenitb passed the half-way mark during the first year of recruiting, according to unit returns given by district headquarters in Christchurch yesterday. *n»e three regiments by the end of March had recruited 1344 soldiers. The establishment permitted for each battalion is approximately 840 all ranks, slightly less than a full battle complement The Otago-Southland Regiment has topped the district with its recruiting figure of 503 all ranks. Nelson-Marlborough-West Coast has a strength of 400. and the Canterbury Regiment (which has to compete with 20 other units and sub-units in the city) a strength of 373.

The unit with the highest proportion of men recruited is the

Christchurch squadron of the New Zealand Scottish (Armoured Car) Regiment This unit has recnmlted 118 troopers out of sn establishment of approximately 140.

Other major units are the 123 Heavy Anti-Artillery Battery with 60 volunteers, the sth Independent Field Squadron of Engineers with 46 men. and 3rd Squadron. Signals, with 102 men. Over-all Figure

The over-all figure for the southern district is 2701 recruited of a New Zealand total of 7450 men—a disproportionate ratio in favour of the South bland on a population basis.

“I think our year’s activity has certainly proved most successful,” said the district recruiting officer (Major J. R. Spence) when asked to comment on the figures yesterday. Major Spence said he thought that the success could be attributed to the energy and enthusiasm of unit commanders and staff. During his recent tour of the South Island to see territorial units he found that the “buddy” or “one-for-one” system of recruiting was generally agreed by units to have been the most successful medium in attracting young men to join the territorial force as volunteers. With alreadyenlisted soldiers inviting friends to join this was the most steady source of recruiting. It was still intended to persevere with “cobbers* week-ends'* where civilians had a taste of Army life on trial but without any obligation on their part to enlist if they did not like it. Major Spence said.

“Particularly significant of last year’s activity was that we appear to have gained the backing of the public and are getting people to support the scheme, and this has enabled us to get the men,” he added.