GISBORNE MEN ANSWER CALL THIS MORNING

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

GISBORNE MEN ANSWER CALL THIS MORNING

The call for volunteers to man a combat ground force to represent New Zealand in the United Nations action in the Korean conflict was answered in Gisborne by 13 men who came forward during tire course of the morning to offer their services.

Recruiting started- with the opening of the Army Hall this morning. The first volunteer arrived at 8.20 a.m. and seven others had signed up by 10 a.m. They included two Gisborne Maoris and six' Europeans, two o( the Europeans being resident in Tokomaru Bay. The total had risen to 13 by 11.30 a.m. and included live Maori volunteers and eight Europeans. The quota for the district by Area 7. which extends trom the East Cape to Pahiatua, numbers 100, but no advice has been received yet concerning the contribution expected from sub-area 78. the Gisborne and East Coast portion of the area. Categories Required

The categories required for the force were divided into.- three groups:—A: Officers and ex-otlicers under 10 years. B: N.C.O.s and ex-N.C.O.s 21 to 38 years. C: Others aged 21 to 32 years, and not necessarily with previous experience. Preference was being given to those who had had artillery experience. either behind the gun or with ancillary services, and, particularly, single men. The men who were coming forward were being advised to retain their present civilian occupations until final acceptance. Medical boarding would be under the control of the Department of Labour and Employment. The recruiting office at the Army Mail will be open until 9 p.m. on week days, with the exception of those nights on which dances are in progress. For that reason there will be no recruiting tomorrow evening. Ts‘ office will be open until noon on Saturdays. Arrangements have been made to reopen Ihe Army office in Wairoa, and an N.C.O. was dispatched from Napier this morning for that purpose. The office was not opened officially this morning, and. from inquiries made, no volunteers had come forward.