NATIONAL RESERVE

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 October 1939, Page 5

NATIONAL RESERVE

SUFFICIENT ENLISTMENTS. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, October 16. The Minister of Defence (Mr Jones) stated 1 to-day that, as there are now sufficient enlistments in the National Military Reserve, it is not intended to ask for further enrolments. The total enlistments to October 13, he said, were 35,407, which had given the Army Department an adequate number of men for service in the three classes of reservists. Recruiting, therefore, would be discontinued as from October 21. On behalf of the Government, Mr Jones expressed deep appreciation for the splendid response, and for the enthusiasm of those undergoing training.

The Minister emphasised that this statement applied only to the Military Reserve, and not. to the Special Force. Recruiting for the latter would be vigorously continued, and those who desired to join the second or third echelon could enlist now, though they would not. be called up until later. Mr Jones announced that officers for the second echelon of the Special Force are now being selected throughout New Zealand. He said that those officers who wished to be included should report and register immediately at the nearest Army Office for examination and selection.. Mr Jones added that the age limits had been increased by five years, which would now enable many officers to serve who previously were ineligible. The new age limits are: Subalterns 35 years, captains 40, majors 45, lieutenantscolonels 50. Officers selected for service will encamp on November 8 for a special training course. Tho recruiting of other ranks was proceeding as usual, but N.C.O.’s and men would not be called up until later. As with the case of officers, however, N.C.O.’s would precede other ranks for a. special course of training.

WEST COAST DRAFT. There were no registrations in the special military force at Greymouth to-day, up to the time the “Star” went to press. The supplementary draft of 39 men, arrived at Burnham at 4.45 p.m., and were handed over by Captain E. Caldwell, who was in charge of the party. Owing to the few Grey district registrations, the next sitting of a medical board at Greymouth has not been fixed. A warning is issued by the Army Department against persons understating their age when enlisting. Any person so doing, and incurring expense to the Department in dental treatment or in any other way, is liable to a severe penalty.