N.Z. RECRUITING

Grey River Argus, 8 September 1939, Page 3

N.Z. RECRUITING

WELLINGTON, September 6. Recruiting for the National Military Reserve has been accelerated to a remarkable extent since the declaration of war with Germans-. Within the last four days the totai of volunteer applicants for enrolment in the reserve has increased by nearly 7000, the actual gain being from 18,000 last Friday to 25,444 at 9 a.m. to-day. Returned soldiers and former regulars between the ages of 35 and 55 have provided 9500 reservists for sendee as guards and garrisons for vital points. There have been 3635 applications by men between the ages of 20 and 35 years who have served during peace time in the New Zealand Territorial Army, or in any of the other military forces of the Empire. Applicants between tne a£es of 36 and 55 not eligible for inclusion in either of the other two classes total 7564. The remaining 4745 who have volunteered for the reserve have been classified as ineligible. The Wellington district leads with 4107 enrolments and Auckland is next with 3695. Christchurch has the third largest number of applications with 3177. Hamilton is in fourth place, with 2153, and Dunedin fifth, with 1917. All centres, are increasing their numbers rapidly.

N.Z. Teachers and War AUCKLAND, September 6. The need for protecting all teachers, particularly in regard to grading and salary, if they undertook military service was emphasised at a meeting of the Auckland Education Board. The question was raised by Mr T. U. Wells, who urged that the Education Depart ment should be asked to consider th? matter carefully. ‘‘Some teachers who went to the Great War suffered in comparison with others who stayed at home,” said Mr Wells. “I should be very sorry to think that any teachers who volunteered for active service should be in any way handicapped by making Hint sacrifice.” Mr AVells proposed that the board should write to the Education Di.pa.l-, ment suggesting that the grading of teachers in military service should go on during their absence, at a >aie equal at least to that which they had obtained in the last two years. The Hon. A. Burns, M.L.C., said tha in the last war the board and the department had done all possible to protect teachers who went away. rne> were not forgotten. Mr Wells said he was referring Io all teachers, including women, who might take up nursing work. The board adopted Mr Wells s piopoSaL HASTINGS, September 6.

A resolution advocating the formation of a soldiers’ assistance association on a national basis was passed at. a combined representative meeting in Hastings to-day. A provisional committee was set up to approach the authorities. It was also decided to approach the Returned Soldiers’ Association and War Relief Association to take immediate action protecting the interests of men engaged in national service. A third resolution passed was: “That this meeting of representatives of Hastings bodies desires to express an assurance that, if and when in the opinion of the Government it becomes necessary to establish a national organisation to help the management of the affairs or the conduct of farms or business of men who may be called up for national service or assist the authorities, those present pledge themselves and also those whom they represent to co-operate fully with the Government, and to do all in their j power to further such an object.” A copy of this resolution has been sent to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) and the Minister for' Defence (the Hon. F. Jones). WELLINGTON, September 6.

The Sawmillers’ Federation has conveyed to the Government its desire for the fullest possible co-opera-tion and offering the services of the federation in any required direction. The Hon. D. G. Sullivan expresses his thanks and appreciation and states the offer will be borne in mind and the Government will get in touch with the Federation for any assistance that may be required. The secretary of the federation (Mr W. S. Seed), says that already order.; have been placed and mills are busy cutting and commencing delivery of timber supplies for immediate and urgent requirements. The federation is confident that every member will respond to whatever call may be made upon him in implementing the federation’s undertaking.