ENLISTMENT AGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20254, 23 May 1940, Page 4

ENLISTMENT AGE

NEW ZEALAND MINIMUM PROTEST FROM BRITAIN ‘ARE WE FORGOTTEN MEN’ (Pol- Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. A cable message was received by the New Zealand Press Association at the week-end from a Mr. Desmond Smith, London, stating that many New Zealanders in Londfta bordering on the age of 20 wished wr serve with the New Zealand forces. He added that they had cabled the Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, asking to be re-' patriated to New Zealand or Egypt for training. The following reply was sent by Mr., Fraser to Mr. Smith, care of the High Commissioner for New Zealand, London:—“The minimum age for enlistment into the New Zealand Expeditionary Force is 21 years, and until this age is reached the Government is unable to consider acceptance for service overseas. On attainment of 21 years, apd provided circumstances such as location permit, arrangements will be made for acceptance into the New Zealand Expeditionary Force of those qualified and eligible." Mr. Fraser received a further cable message from Mr. Desmond Smith as follows: “Sincere thanks for your cable, but, Mr. Premier, we are New Zealanders, fit mentally and physically, respectfully claiming the right that at 29 years we, should be accepted for our own country’s forces. Have we no privileges because we have left our native land? Are we forgotten men? The British Government accepts men of 20. We beg of you to allow us to fight alongside our relatives and brothers. Help us please. We are men." Mr. Fraser has replied as follows: “Your further telegram received. From my previous cablegram you will have noted that you are at present ineligible for enlistment into the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on account of age, but may I suggest that there apparently is nothing in the way of your joining the British forces at once.” 1