TERRITORIAL FORCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20493, 1 March 1941, Page 9

TERRITORIAL FORCE

FURTHER BALLOT : __ ■ 19-YEAR AND 4J -45 GROUPS {Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple', stated to-day that the fifth ballot to be conducted by the department would be for the purpose of providing men for the Territorial force. On this occasion all men of the first division who are 19 years of age and those 41 to 45 inclusive will be called; up for service with the Territorial force. There are about 8000 men in these age groups available at present and their names will be Gazetted on Wednesday, March 26. No men in Class A of the first division, single men 21 to 40, are to be included, the reason being that as they are eligible for overseas service it is not considered desirable to call them up for territorial training when they may shortly be for service overseas. Mr. Semple explains that one of the problems they face is to have available an adequately trained Territorial force, and to attain this with some degree of stability it has been decided to build up the strength from men not eligible for overseas service, or who will not become liable for such for some considerable time.

Mr. Semple said that entry into camp for Territorial training was bound to affect some adversely, and he asked the men themselves and their employers and parents to face up to the temporary dislocation Of business and private hardships, and that appeals be made only after every other avenue had been explored. None of the men called in this ballot will be required to enter camp before April 1, and it is anticipated that a call will be made as soon after as practicable.