RECRUITS WANTED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20143, 12 January 1940, Page 9

RECRUITS WANTED

MINISTER’S APPEAL STEADY STREAM NEEDED BACKING OF PEOPLE “HEIRS TO TRADITIONS” (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. "I confidently make an earnest appeal for recruits from every walk of life, so that our Second Expeditionary Force will never lack full strength, backed by the unity of ail people,” said the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, at a recruiting rally in Wellington yesterday. The Minister said that recruiting rallies and other efforts on the part of citizens not only encouraged recruiting but also showed the unity and determination of the people of New Zealand to play a part effectively to win the war against Nazi GeVman tyranny and aggression. He expressed warm appreciation of 'he work representative organisations had already done in securing recruits and gratification at the results being obtained. Particularly, he stressed the assistance rendered by the Returned Soldiers’ Association, stating that he had been bombarded with letters and calls from old soldiers who declared that they were as fit to fight as ever. Some men who had served in the last war were going overseas again, and he felt sure that they would give as good service now as they had ever done in the past. So far, the response to the call for young men had been highly satisfactory. The First Echelon had been seen by the people after a training period and recruiting for the Second Echelon was making good progress, particularly in the northern and central military districts. It was certain that; by the end of this week all requirements for the Second Echelon would have been met. Torch of Flame Handed On

The Government wanted a steady march of volunteers, not only for the Second and Third Echelons, but for subsequent reinforcements until New Zealand had played her full part in the defence of liberty and justice. Some people had criticised him, said Mr. Jones, for not going on with recruiting when the First Echelon went into camp, but there were difficulties. They did not know if the troops were going overseas or where they were going, but as soon as advice had been received from the Home Government on the matter they had gone ahead. After paying a tribute to MajorGeneral B. C. Freyberg, V.C., whom the Minister said was the right man in the right place, Mr. Jones continued: “We have reason to have full confidence in the future service of our soldiers. They are heirs to splendid traditions. The men of Anzac and the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force won fame on the hills of Gal-' lipoli and the sodden fields of Flanders. They handed on the torch of fame to their successors in the second European War, and I feel sure that the lads of 10-day will not allow the flame to be quenched, or even dimmed.”

The Minister also paid a tribute to ■•he young New Zealanders who already had achieved great distinction in naval and aerial warfare overseas.