The Volunteer Territorial

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 154, 26 March 1938, Page 13

The Volunteer Territorial

■Sir, —In view of the publicity which is» now being given to the important question of defence, may I, through the courtesy of your columns, draw attention io the ridiculous regulation which face the “would-be recruit” on his application for enlistment? t As one who feels it a duty to his country to give service in the territorial force, I decided to enlist in a local unit. To my surprise, however, I was informed that all recruits were now required to serve one week in camp at Trentham before they could be taken on the active strength of the unit they wished to join. ■Surely if regulations of this nature are permitted -to govern the entry into the territorial force, it is little wonder there is such a small response to the call for volunteers. It is only a few fortunate* who will be able to obtain leave from their employers to attend such a camp, « and doubtless they will be expected to secure a further week’s leave during the current year to attend the annual camp of the unit to which they are ultimately posted. It would almost seem the authorities are not so much concerned with numbers after, all, if barriers such as this are being erected against “would-be recruits.” After the decision so unanimously carried at the Defence League meeting on Thursday night to considerably increase the man-power of the military forces, one wonders how this is to be done in face of the regulations existing at present.—■ I am, etc., ■WOULD-BE VOLUNTEER. Wellington, .March 25.