MORE RECRUITS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 145, 16 December 1939, Page 15

MORE RECRUITS

SECOND ECHELON

APPEAL BY MINISTER

Pointing out that enlistments would be on the same conditions as those for the first echelon, the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), in a state- - ment last night, made an appeal for f recruits to bring 'the second echelon 5 up to full strength. , "The first echelon of the Special s Force has completed its preliminary 5 training," said Mr. Jones, "and will - shortly leave for advanced training. J overseas. The mobilisation camps will i then be available for the training of 1 the second echelon. Numbers of men ' who have' already enlisted and been f passed medically fit are waiting to 2 enter camp with the second echelon, ) but more ar,e required to make up the T full strength and to provide a nucleus for the third echelon. Those prepared , to offer their services should do so as j soon as possible. 1 "Officers for the second echelon have been training since November 8. . Non-commissioned officers are also in ' training, and their number will be I supplemented from later enlistments. E Enlistments will be, accepted on the same terms as for the first echelon, and preference will continue to be given to single men. Some who volunteered for the first echelon were rejected on account of minor dental defects. There will be no further rejections on this ground, as all such troubles will be rectified by Army dental officers in camp. RECORD OF FIRST ECHELON. "On the day recruiting opened for the first echelon volunteers exceeded the total number required. Volunteers for the second echelon may have difficulty in beating this record of* the first's, but they can equal it. Service with the forces involves sacrifice,' but the Government has always believed that the necessary sacrifice would be made when the need ■ was known. The men on final leave have obeyed the call of duty and the country honours them. lam confident their fellow-men will not falter now in the national effort to maintain and guarantee the safety of New Zealand and the British Commonwealth. "I have arranged for the continuation of the Central Recruiting Committee, and the following officers will carry out the campaign with myself as chairman:—Colonel O. H. Mead, D.5.0., Adjutant-General; Mr. F. B. Dwyer, of Army Headquarters; Major R. E. Murray, Army Publicity Officer; Major E. H. Whiting, of the Central Military District; Mr. J. T. Paul, Director of Publicity.* "I cordially welcome the assistance of Territorial associations, lodal bodies, representatives of other organisations, and citizens generally to ensure the success of this appeal. "Forms of enlistment may be obtained in any post office or any of the under-mentioned defence offices: — Auckland, Hamilton, Paeroa, Whangarei, Dargaville, Morrinsville, Rotorua, Tauranga, Te Kuiti, Wellington, Hawera, Napier, Wanganui, Dannevirke, Gisborne,- Hastings, Masterton, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Petone, Stratford, Christchurch, Dunedin, Inyercargill, Nelson, Ashburton, Blenheim, Greymouth, Oamaru, j Timaru, and Westport." j: