CAMP ENTRY DELAYED

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 144, 14 December 1940, Page 13

CAMP ENTRY DELAYED

THE MOUNTED RIFLES

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

The Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) announced today that the number of men remaining under training in mobilisation camps for the 2nd N.Z.EF.. is much greater than was anticipated, and it has been found necessary to delay the entry into camps of some of the Territorial Force units. The units which are affected are the six mounted rifles regiments in the North Island, viz., the North Auckland Mounted Rifles, Auckland East Coast Mounted Rifles. Waikato Mounted Rifles, Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles, Wellington East Coast Mounted .Rifles, and Manawatu Mounted Rifles. It was intended that these regiments should commence training in camp on January 6, but they will not go into camp now until early in February. Mr. Jones said that some of the regiments were not yet up to full strength, and the postponement of the camp dates would enable the gaps in the ranks to be filled. "With the object of obtaining suitable men to make up the deficiencies, the Government has decided to .accept the voluntary enlistment of single men between the ages of 19 and 45 years of age who are specially suitable for service in the mounted rifles," he said. "I understand that there are a number of such men available and willing to join up, and I hope they will come forward without delay. Single men I who are between the ages of 21 and 40 will still be subject to the ballot for overseas service. Any man who wishes to volunteer should apply to the nearest Army office. j

"I would like to make it quite clear that such voluntary enlistment is restricted to the mounted rifles regiments," said the-Minister.