VOLUNTARY RECRUITING

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 21, 24 July 1940, Page 11

VOLUNTARY RECRUITING

ENLISTMENTS NEARLY 60,000

OFFICIAL COUNT

When the system of voluntary recruiting for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force ceased on Monday last, the enlistments totalled 59,644," according to a statement made by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) last night.

The Minister said that the results of the voluntary effort were most gratifying, as the figures demonstrated forcibly that the men of military age in the Dominion were just as ready as their forbears to face their responsibilities and bear their share in the struggle for the preservation of freedom and independence.

"During the past few weeks," the Minister said, "there has been a most satisfactory increase in the registrations for service. Since June 22 no fewer than 13,130 men have enrolled for service, and during the week which ended last Saturday 3087 registered. This was followed by a record on Monday, when 1947 men were enrolled.

Mr. Jones said that at the moment the number of men awaiting medical examination was 5970. This figure was high because of the rush of recruits during the last ten days. A total of 51,319 men had been medically examined, and of that number 38,402 had been passed as fit for service overseas. A total of 4080 had been classified as temporarily unfit, and 8837 as unfit for active service. Of the total number of medically fit'hieri, 24,445 had already been dispatched to camp, while 9086 were available for camp as soon as they were needed.

"We now have available and estimated to become available on passing the medical tests.sufficient men to provide for the fourth and fifth reinforcements," the Minister said, "and to cover any wastage which may occur during their training before dispatch overseas."