TERRITORIAL FORCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 March 1935, Page 7

TERRITORIAL FORCE

APPEAL TO EMPLOYERS

[PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

AUCKLAND, March 22.

Simultaneously with a recruiting campaign to increase the numerical strength of the Territorial Force, the New Zealand Territorial Association is appealing for financial support, and urging employers to allow men time off to attend territorial camps. The Auckland metropolitan area has not yet been able to parade more than 50 men of all units, whereas the Association says it should produce more than 2000. This position is believed to be general in the Dominion. Colonel Duigan, O.C. Northern Command, stated, to-day, that the command strength was now about 3200 men, very keen and commanded by excellent officers, most of the seniors having war service. He said it was mainly to employers that the Association’s appeal was made. The Territorials’ training was hampered, because only about half could get leave to attend camps. Some employers were not sympathetic to the idea of military training, and others said their employees should use holidays to attend camps. Only one firm in Auckland granted its employees leave on full pay to attend camps. Colonel Duigan said 'that in time of danger, property owners had most to lose, and they should look, upon territorial training as national insurance.