N.Z. VOLUNTEERS BEING ENROLLED FOR GROUND FORCE TO AID U.N. IN KOREA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23316, 27 July 1950, Page 8

N.Z. VOLUNTEERS BEING ENROLLED FOR GROUND FORCE TO AID U.N. IN KOREA

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 27. New Zealand is immediately offering a special combat unit for service with other ground forces in Korea. In announcing this last night in the House of Kepresentatives’ the Prime Minister, Mr. S. G. Holland, said: — “I wish to inform the House of the Government’s decision in regard to the request of the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations for the provision of increased combat forces for Korea. “The Government has given very full and careful consideration to this matter evc-r since the receipt of the first resolution of the Security Council, and has been in constant consultation with the United Kingdom and other British Commonwealth countries and the United States.

ponse to the first appeal, two tel' frigates, H.M.N.Z.S. Tulira ami H.M.N.Z.S. Pukaki, were dispatched for service in Korean waters. •‘ln view of the gravity of the situation created by the North Korean aggression and of the further appeal by the United Nations for additional ; effective forces, particularly ground 1 forces, we have given further consul- : eration to the practicability of making j an additional contribution in order to fulfil our obligations to the United Nations. I Discussion With Britain 1 “After discussions in the Defence Committee With service chiefs present and in the Cabinet, the Government has been in further consultation with tine United Kingdom as to the role of the proposed New Zealand unit in relation to other ground forces. "Though the question of the role and type of the New Zealand ground force is still under consideration. I feel that I should, without further delay, announce that the New Zealand Government is immediately offering to the SecretTy-Gen-cral of the United Nations a special combat unit for service with other ground forces. “Subject to the outcome of consultations now nroceeding. this will probably tike the form of an artillery formation. “Army offices will he open to receive volunteers for this combat unit as from 8 n.m. tomorrow. W am sure that the course I have outlined will commend itself to both sides of the House and to the country as a whole.” Supported by Opposition

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. P Fraser, said in the House of Representatives immediately after Mr. Holland's announcement that the Opposition would support to the utmost anything done in the furtherance of the decision of the United Nations. “Our word is pledged ana that pledge has been renewed from time to time,” said Mr. Fraser. Now the time had come for its fulfilment and the Opposition supported the decision to send a force As to the -details, for example the adequacy or otherwise of the force to be sent, he could express no opinion until the details had been clarified. However, the opposition supported the general principle of assistance against aggression and the upholding of the principles of the United Nations. Mr. Holland replied that he was, greatly strengthened by the assurance, of a united Parliament on this matter. Until now he had given the Leader of the Opposition as much information as he could and he would continue to do so. Eligible Personnel . In the working out of the details he would be glad of any advice the Leader of the Opposition could give him and he was sure that would be forthcoming. In a statement released after Mr. Holland's announcement to the House, the Minister of Defeenc6, Mr. T. L. Macdonald, said that those eligible to volunteer for the special combat force for service with other ground forces in Korea are: (a) Officers and ex-officers under the

age of 40 years. (b) Non-commissioned officers and ex-non-commissioned officers between the ages of 21 and 38 years. (c) Others between the ages of 21 and 32 years. Preference would be given to those with previous service in artillery units and single men. The Minister added that those volunteering must be prepared to serve for the duration of the emergency and six months thereafter. As announced by the Prime Minister, apolications could be made to any army office, preferably in person, but written applications would be accepted. Mr Macdonald emphasised that volunteers should not leave their civilian employment until they had been called up for service.