NATIONAL SERVICE

Grey River Argus, 16 March 1942, Page 7

NATIONAL SERVICE

N.Z. MEN TO REGISTER

I 46 to 50 Years

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 15.

A total war effort, including new calls on men and women, is announced bv the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser). A recent decision of the War Cabinet provides for the utmost use of man power and woman power in New Zealand so that the Dominion will have its full! share in the activities necessary for the defence of New Zealand and the complete defeat of the Axis Powers. Appropriate action has accordingly been taken under the National Service Emergency Regulations, 1940. .“Vitailv important national service will be available for men who have been found medically unlit for military service for which they were called up,” said Mr. Fraser. “They wil’i honourably serve their country in defence work and various essential war industries and other activities which link up with the main war effort. They will really be part of the national organisation for winning the war. “Men of the ages from forty-six to fifty will be obliged to register for the purpose .of interviews, selection, and direction into suitable .work. “The first class of women to be called on to register will be those of the age? of twenty and twenty-one. “The general procedure for men will be by interview with the district man power officer or his representative, followed by classification and direction as required, Interviews with women will be carried out in conjunction with the Women’s War Service Auxiliary but direction into essential work will be given by the district man-power officers who are in touch with labour needs. “The work of special" direction into essential work may also arise as necessity requires. In addition to copipulsory registration for persons . in the classes mentioned the main machinery will provide for the direction of those offering to undertake work of national importance when they are not already engaged in it.

METHODS TO BE ANNOUNCED. “All persons directed into essential work in terms of these new arrangements will be entitled to the full protection of the Occupational Re-es-tablishment Emergency Regulations, 1940, in the same manner as if they had been soldiers called up for military service.

“Within a few days the method of registration will be announced,” con-

eluded Mr. Fraser. “The Government has ful’.' confidence in the people ol New Zealand to recognfte and appreciate the truth that ever v possible effort must be made to mobilise and use the full strength of the country in the strenuous fight 1 for victory. Every possible precaution must be taken against waste or loss of labour, time, and materials. Every New Zealander must, and will, help to save New Zealand—a salvation linked up with the saving of civilisation --and to organise so that we can cooperate with our Allies in the defeat of our enemies, and in the advance to victory in the Pacific and elsewhere.”