TERRITORIALS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1937, Page 6

TERRITORIALS

THE SPECIAL-RESERVES

WELLINGTON, September 23,

; A satisfactory response has been received to the Government’s call for enlistment in the Territorial Force Special Reserve. This was revealed in a statement-made to-night by the Minister for Defence (the. Hon. F. Jones). “It is the intention of the Government to enlist 960 men in this force, the Minister said, “and the programme will he spread over three years. We called for applications for the first quota of 170, the allotment being on, the following basis: Northern District (Auckland), 50 artillery; Central Military District 50 artillery and 30 infantry; Southern Military District (South Island), 40 infantry. For the Northern District 53 applications were received, and after selection and medical examination 42 have been accepted, and are now in training at Narrow Neck Camp. Of these applications 29 were from Auckland, the balance of 13 coming from Paeroa, Hamilton, and Whangarei. “Fifty-two applications were received for the Central District, where the final number accepted was 29. ut those, 20 were from Wellington,* the rest being from Palmerston North, Wanganui, Hawera, and Napier. These men are all in training at Fort Dorset.

“The number of applications in .the Southern District totalled 66, of whom 47 were accepted. They have started their training at Burnham. Twentyseven of these reservists were from Christchurch, -the rest being from Timaru (9) and Dunedin and districts (11).”

Mr Jones said that in the selection of these special reservists the usual high standard of physical and medical fitness was required, and it was gratifying to see that the type of young man finally selected was definitely good. Talking about the conditions and wages in the reserve, the Minister said that the special reservist ought to be able to save sufficient money to enable him to leave camp after his three months’ training with approximately £2O to his credit. ‘‘lt is anticipated,” the Minister said, “that as the scheme becomes more widely known and the opportunities for improvement in bodily health, vocational training, and prospects of future employment are more fully realised, there will be a definite improvement in the number ol applications for enlistment.”