N.Z. DEFENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1939, Page 6

N.Z. DEFENCE

QUICKER RESPONSE URGED

(Per Press Association—Copyright).

WELLINGTON,- June S.

Mr Savage, in amplifying his remarks of last, night on recruiting, said to-dav that sonVe people were going round saying that there would have to be compulsion. “J sav that we can got men,” he declared. .‘‘l am not- satisfied that .compulsion is not necessary, and that the men will enrol, but I am hound to say that they are very dilatory. Surely, people realise that the world is changing rapidly, and that -negotiations are going on while we are sleeping and working.” Mr Savage added that he wanted men to come forward now. and not in a war atmosphere. Tie was not asking men to go abroad. He wanted them for the defence of New Zealand in New Zealand.

6334 ENROLMENTS

WELLINGTON, June 8,

The New Zealand pjilitafy reserve total to-dav was 6334, an increase of 308 since yesterday.

INTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICERS

ENROL

WELLINGTON,' June 8

Seventeen field-: officers and ioui members of the head office staff ot the field life branch of the Department of Internal ■' with tjie. Ministerial head ol the Department (the Hon. W. E. Parry) called on the Prime Mauser (the. lit. Hon. M. JSavage) to-day "to offer him their services for the defence of New Zealand. The field officers, who have been attending an official conference in Wellington, are engaged in deer destruction work in the hush and mountain ranges of the Dominion. In accepting the offer Mr Savage expressed Keen appreciation of the men’s .action. He also thanked, on behalf ol the government, the other 6000 ‘men who had already enrolled in the national military reserve, and appealed to others "'ho had not already enrolled, to do so without delay.

Mr Parry ex’gained to Mr Ravage that the offer of the men for defence service had been made after an address li e had delivered in eulogy of the work they were doing for the State, in helping to save native hush from the depredations of deer. He did not know of a group of men who could be of greater service in the defence of the country. During his address to the men he had referred to the appeal for enlistments in the reserve, and forthwith all- attending tire conference had decided to offer their services to the Government for homo defence. “I trust- 1 will he accepted with this body of men. even though I .am over the stipulated age of 55,” said Mr Parry, “for nothing would please me more than to he with these men. whom T already know as good comrades. T have been asked by these men to offer you their services, and at the »same time I ask von to accept my own.” Mr J. Dennett, officer in charge of animal protection and game, said four members of the head- office staff attending the conference of field officers, also wished to join with them in offering their services. Captain G. F. Terex. inspector of animals’ protection and game, and director of deer operations, said the men felt proud that their Minister should refer to them as comrades.