DEFENCE SERVICE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 145, 22 May 1939, Page 6

DEFENCE SERVICE

DOMINION’S NEEDS. COMPILING OF REGISTER. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) AVELLIN GTON, May 22. One of the interesting features of the Prime Minister’s broadcast to-night on defence will he references to voluntary national service for men up to 55 years, enrolment cards to be available at post offices. It is understood he will give his own personal views on the international situation and sec out the main lines of the Government’s policy, stating what has been done, and what is to be done in future. Air Savage stated that he wishes to put before the people the facts of the situation as the Government sees them. In particular, lie- wishes to tell the people why he is making this appeal at this time. “The first appeal I wish to make is for volunteers to fill the gaps in the regular forces,” sai d Air Savage. “Tim sdcond is for our first line of land djFfence, the Territorial Army. There is also need for men in the special reserve and finally there is a general appeal for able-bodied men between 20 and 55 years of age to register in a National Military Reserve. In this connection I hope that the Defence League will get behind the Government. There is in this country a large reserve of man-power, covering returned soldiers and numbers who have passed through the Territorial Force as well as younger men. 1 intend to emphasise that men coming forward and offering their services are enlisting for home defence and home defence only. I also intend to explain how the services of these men will be used.”