Recruiting Depot Established at Pukekohe

Franklin Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 24, 1 March 1940, Page 4

Recruiting Depot Established at Pukekohe

APPLICATION GRANTED PART-TIME OFFICE 'I’IIREE DAYS A WEEK Information has been received from the secretary of the Auckland Patriotic Council (Mr K. L. Usmar), that a recruiting sergeant will attend the Pukekohe drill hall, Edinburgh street, on three days each week. The office will he opened on Tuesday next at noon and will thereafter bo open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from noon to 5.30 p.m. and on Friday from noon lo 9 p.m. RECRUITING IN PUKEKOHE ANOTHER PUBLIC MEETING GO M MITT E E APP OI NT E D “I am not going to abuse those who are present, but must say that the attendance here tonight is not what I expected,” said the Mayor (Mr J. Routly) at a public meeting of residents of Pukekohe to discuss the Y.M.C.A.-Salvation Army appeal and recruiting in the district, held in the Masonic hall on Wednesday. There were 33 present.

A tier some discussion Hie motion dial a recruiting committee be formed iii Pukekohe was carried by twelve votes to six. Some difficulty, howeve i*. was experienced in forming Hie committee, several nominations being declined.

Following the inlimalion Hint Ihe Defence Deparlmcnt bad referred Pukekohe's application for a recruiting depot lo the Auckland Patriotic Council. Mr R. Diggle said Ihal h< was not prepared lo art on such a eommillee until some definite lead wasgiven by the Department. “This is a malter for the Government, n.ot Hu Patriotic Council.'’ be said, “and when Ibe office is opened I will do my part.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Mr A. M. Wallers. Mr M. R. Grierson said ilial while Hie method of recruiting was considered wrong every effort must be made to assist in raising Hie required quota. He said Ilial there was reluctance on the part, of those of his own age, and younger, to go on the committee in view of the t y,cl Hint if was possible that the bounds may become the bares and Hieir lime may come. “The older people should be on Ibe eommillee. bill let us have a eommillee in Ibis district. ’ be concluded.

Mr A. R. King expressed similar sen limen Is. lie said Ilial 11 1 ougli in favour of conscription lie was behind the movement lo support the Government in the present scheme. He added that a eommillee would be incomplete wit lion I relumed men.

Mr H. It. Pallle said Ilial while oflice. on a eommillee was awkward lor those eligible il was none the less so for the older men.

Finally on Hie motion of Hie Mayor, the committee consisting of lour volunleers —-Messrs .1. Roully. A. P. Day. \V. T. Pearsall and D. Rcoll —was appointed.