TERRITORIAL RECRUITS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 July 1939, Page 5

TERRITORIAL RECRUITS

RESPONSE at greymouth.

Interest in the volunteer movement in Greymouth is growing rapidly, following the Prime Minister’s appeal for recruits and citizens of a good type are coming forward to offer their services for’home defence. The strengtn on parade last Wednesday was very satisfactory, there being three officers and 62 other ranks present. A number of new trainees were sworn in, and equipment and uniforms issued to them. Fresh supplies are expected, and the new gear will shortly be on issue Commendable progress in drill has been made, and tho Greymouth Company, which is to be increased to the strength of 120 men, will shortly be a unit of which the West Coast will be proud. . x Some doubt seems to exist regarding the conditions of enlistment. The territorial volunteer enlists for homo defence only, and is not committed to serve overseas. Consequent on the expansion ol the Territorial Force, the local unit will shortly be raised to the strength of a Company, for which 120 men are required. All public-spirited citizens of military age who are physically fit for

service are urged to enlist as early as possible, so that training may proceed rapidly and efficiently, and the unit prepared to take its part, if necessary, for defence. Those who are merely thinking it over now should 7 decide at once to join, so that, if the occasion requires their presence, they will act- in unison with their friends and neighbours in presenting a disciplined and united front against an enemy. If that day comes, no citizen alone will be able to do anything effective, much though he way wish to. Every fit man, unless he is prepared to lie down and take what is dealt out to him, has a plain duty before him. That duty is to prepare himself to act with his fellows, and he cannot do that, at the last minute. Now is the time to train. No man is committed to service overseas by enlisting. The intention is not to build an aggressive force for that purpose. The call is for the defence of the country, and of homes and hearths.