INCREASE OF 1600

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXII, Issue 4731, 21 December 1938, Page 5

INCREASE OF 1600

TERRITORIAL FORCES. RESULT OF CAMPAIGN. Since the campaign for recruits to the New Zealand Territorial Forces was initiated on June 1 last the personnel has increased by 1600. The net fighting strength is now 8697. These figures were made available by Army Headquarters.

“The vital part of the year’s training—the annual camps—is still in front of us. We hope that the average attendances at the camps will be at least 80 per cent, of the total strength,” said Major G. H. Clifton to the Wellington Post. “The Department fully realises the need for obtaining the sympathy and co-operation of employers and a circular letter has been sent to chambers of commerce requesting their coopeiation in this direction. The fact that these forces are being trained for home defence is of particular interest to the employers of this country, and their practical support of our endeavour to get the maximum number of men possible into camp is confidently asked for. “Indirectly firms will receive considerable benefit from the camps because their employees will return from them benefited in physique and mental alertness by a week in the open.”