SECOND ECHELON

Grey River Argus, 15 March 1940, Page 5

SECOND ECHELON

Movement of Troops CHRISTCHURCH, March 14. Yesterday the first batch of troops from the 2nd Echelon left mobilisation camps throughout the country for a fortnight’s leave. Movements from Burnham yesterday included ,men for Otago, Southland, South Canterbury, Westland, Christchurch, and Nelson. Men for North Auckland, ■Hamilton, Thames and Wairarapa left by the steamer express from Lyttelton last evening. In the North Island camps troops have started moving for the south. About 300 men from Trentham were expected at Lyttelton this morning, and from there they were scheduled to disperse to various parts of the South Island. Men from Ngaruawahia will arrive at Lyttelton tomorrow and Saturday, and from Papakura to-morrow. TIMARU, March 14. Three or four Southland members of the 2nd Echelon, who were going 'home on final leave, missed at Timaru yesterday morning. They deft the station, and as the train was moving when they returned, officials prevented them boarding it. _ The Otago men who came by a later tram were not permitted to leave the platform. Two of the Southland men engaged a taxi and caught the train further south.

N.Z. Recruiting

SUCCESS OF TOURS. TIMARU. March 13. The rate of recruiting throughout New Zealand for the 3rd Echelon was regarded as being quite satisfactory, said the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), in a short statement at Timaru this morning. More attention was being paid now to providing adequate reinforcements for the Ist and 2nd Echelons. Questioned as to the results of the recent series of addresses at recruiting rallies throughout the South Island given by the Deputy Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser), Mr. Jones said that he had had little time to consult Mr. Fraser since the latter’s return to Wellington, but he understood that the rallies had been very successful', although it was not possible at present to assess their di rert influence on the recruiting campaign. —