MR. JONES’ APPEAL

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 87, 6 January 1940, Page 10

MR. JONES’ APPEAL

Recruits For Second

Echelon OVER HALF ALREADY Men Who carry War’s Heaviest Burdens More than half of the number of men needed for the second echelon of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force had already been passed as medically fit, stated the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, in issuing an appeal for further recruits. Mr. Jones suggested that every young man should ask himself: “What can I do to serve my country?” The Minister, in tlie name of the Government and the country, thanked the men who had already volunteered and appealed for more to join them. Three events of comparatively recent date had combined to bring tlie war closer to New Zealand, he said. The first was the announcement that the Second New Zealand Division was to proceed overseas, the second that Major-General B. O. Freyberg was to command the troops, and the third were the public parades of the men of the First Echelon which had given the people of New Zealand a welcome opportunity to demonstrate anew their regard and admiration for sons and brothers and friends who were offering all for the defence of their homes and the ideals of freedom, justice and international integrity upon which British civilization was built. More Than 18,000 Volunteers. “Already more than, half the number of men. required for the Second Echelon have been passed medically fit,” the Minister said, “and it is confidently expected that the quota from all districts will soon be filled. Men already passed fit will enter camp on January 12. Since the lists were first opened in early September, more than 18,000 men have volunteered for the Expeditionary Force, but, of course, not all have been up to the necessary standard of fitness, and the services of many more have been declined -because they are engaged in essential civil occupations. “Young men between the ages of 19 and 21 who are not at present eligible for overseas service by reason of their age can serve their country by enlisting for full-time home service in the coast and anti-aircraft defence units,” said the Minister. “These young men, many of whom are ambitious to qualify for overseas service on reaching the required age, will thus have had the benefit of extensive training during their period of home service duties. Men between the ages of 35 and 40 are also eligible for service in these units, and those who for family or business reasons are unable to leave New Zealand should communicate with the nearest defence office for particulars as to pay and service.” Concern of All. The Minister expressed the Government’s gratitude for the support given by local bodies and organizations to the recruiting campaign. He said he felt sure that that support would be continued, as the war was not a matter for soldiers alone, but the concern of everyone. “iSoldiers and sailors and airmen, however —and nurses—carry war’s heaviest burdens,” he said, “and them we honour first. lam sure none of you who saw one of the parades of the First Echelon can have failed to be impressed by the splendid physique and soldierly bearing of our troops. The Dominion is proud of them and of what they have accomplished in so short a time from their answering the country’s call. It will be equally proud of their comrades in the Second Echelon, and I know full well that the traditions established by the New Zealand Contingents in the Boer War and by the First New Zealand’Divislon a generation ago will be in safe hands, with their successors of the Second Division.”