GOOD RESPONSE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 149, 26 May 1939, Page 2

GOOD RESPONSE

DOMINION’S DEFENCE APPEAL. FURTHER PLANS ANNOUNCED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 25. > Further details ot the Government s defence programme were outlined by the Chie. of General Staff, .Major-Gen-eral J. E. Duigan, in a statement to the Press today. He said that the recent comprehensive statement by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. JSavage, had been a splendid tonic to the arm)’ in New Zealand. The response to Mr Savage's appeal during the last two or three days had been widespread and satisfactory. Major-General Duigan asked every young man in New Zealand who had not yet made up his mind to join the territorial force to remember the freedom, the military and social benefits he enjoyed as a young citizen oi the Dominion within the shelter of tlie British Commonwealth of Nations, and said he felt they would agree that personal service to the community in the form of training now for its dm Fence was tlie ’best return tbey coulu make for the good things they received. Major-General Duigan’s statement is as io’lows: T would like to commence by saving what a splendid tonic the recent comprehensive statement and appeal by the iPrime Minister has been to the army in New Zealand. In particular his appreciation of the work which is being done by tlwse already serving is encouraging members of file territorial iorce to tackle the public duty tbey have undertaken with greater zest, knowing that the Prime Minister and the Government are grateful for what they are doing. The response to Mr Savage's appeal during the last two or three days has been widespread and satisfactory. There have, however. l>een niimarnin inquiries regarding the scheme and I wish to take this opportunity of explaining some of the details for the benefit of tlie thousands of willing men who wish to offer their services. FOUR SECTIONS. AA'e are calling for recruits for four different jobs. The regular force requires urgently 100 unmarried men between the ages of 20 and 23 who are prepared to serve for five years with a view to remaining in the army as a prof ssion. They must be not less than ot. Sin. in height and able to pass a rigorous medical examination —for the main •eason that the regular soldier must !>e fit for service in any part of the world. The mental and moral standards laid down are equally high, and. I ini sure, there are many young men of the right type in New Zealand who are keen on soldiering and who will offer their services as regular soldiers if they know an opportunity is available.

Our =erond appeal is for GGOO more territorials, i.e.. men between the "ges ol 18 and 32 prcfcrablv over 20 As Mr Savage announced, the Territorial Force is being expanded immediately to a peace strength of 16 000. Apart from increases in all technics 5 units—artillery and so on—the moM important increase will take place in the nine ccuntry battalions and the mounted rifle regiments. All thesunits are b'dldin' l ' up to their old regimental strength. During the lo.st three years, they lmve maintained their reg’mental traditions and their regimental spirit, which is based so largely on the keen public spirit of the provinces from which they are drawn T appeal to the young men outside the main cities who are fit enough physically to come forward and fill the ranks of their own provincial regiments. Tt is the greatest service they can offer —to pre-

pare for the home defence of New Zealand and the protection of their own folks by joining the territorial force. Every man who volunteers as a territorial now and trains now is doing more to “build a nation” thany any All Black. '6OOO MORE TERRITORIALS. We want 6000 more territorials to build up our first line of land defence. It is not a case of every young man should be a territorial, but rather that only the best are wanted for this public duty. As those who are alreadv serving know, when you join you associate with young men of your own ige drawn from many diverse professions, and trades. You will find thev are decent-minded fellows with all sorts of views on life. As a result the individual territorial becomes broader in his outlook, a better citizen and able to do a better job of work. If vou arc ambitious, with the personality and desire to develop executive ability, aim at being a leader. Hard work and real service will get you to the top. In onr democratic army the best recruit of to-day will be —not “may bo” —the colonel of to-morrow, responsible in war for the lives and welfare of COO fellow-citizens. YOUNG WOMEN'S PART. Y T ou will find so •many good fellows in uniform. Their sense of duty and the rendering of real service without any great material reward creates a pride in their that is higher than any material gain. Why not, if you can measure up to the standard, serve your country? May I just add a message to the voung women of New Zealand. You know without any explanation what a tremendous influence you exert in the matter of personal service for home defence. Encourage your brothers or. better still, your sweethearts to join up. Take an interest in their trailing and welfare. You can l>c proud of them. If war does come you may he vitally concerned. You can all help, if you will. I appeal for your cooperation. I would like to emphasise that the territorial force is tTie first line of home defence on land. It provides the organisation and. with the present increase in peace strength, the substantial share of the force required oil mobilisation. To help the coast artillery and infantry units reponsible for the protection of the main ports—i.c., the units which must he ready for service at very short notice—we have been training during the past 18 months special reservists for these units. Wo want 250 men now. They go into camp at Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch for a period of five months during which they receive dual training in the requisite military work and also in a wide choice of trades. Tin's is an excellent opportunity for men between the ages of 18 and 30, not less than sftin in height, who are temporarily unemployed and who want to do their bit toward defending their country, while, at the same time, getting further trade training. The special reservists are a good type and a great help to the territorial units to which they are posted. DEFENCE IN AN EMERGENCY. In addition to the above three special categories, the Prime Minister lias appealed for further men between the ages of 20 and 55 who are prepared to serve in some military capacity according to age and qualifications for home defence in New Zealand in an emergency. Let me deal at once with, one emery

which has beer, raised very often in the last two or three days. The offer of service is for home defence and home defence only. It involves no obligation to carry out training in peace time though wo are going to selcet 5000 of those who offer and give them the opportunity if thejy so desire to carry out a certain amount of refresher training now in peace. The national military reserve is bcng divided into three classes: — Class 1: Men 20 to 35 years of age who, have served during peace time for two years or more in the territorial force or in any of the military forces of the Empire. When an emergency arises, men who offer their services in class I will undertake the duty of building up the territorial force to its full strength. Class 2: Consists of returned soldiers and ex-regulars between the ages of 35 and 55. In an emergency these men will act as a second line of defence to the territorial force by providing certain reserve units for the defence of ports, including anti-aircraft defence against low-flying attack. They will also provide guards at vital points, and. what is verv important, those with special qualifications as instructors. etc., will fill administrative and training appointments on mobilisation. Class 3: fs limited to men between the ages of 33 and 55 who are not eligible for classes I and 2. They will form n reserve of volunteei's for general duty in support of the other forces and to fomi various units such as construction companies, etc. Those with special oualificntions. such as mechanics. electiricians. etc. would he invaluable to complete the technical units which are so essential in the modern army. There is no limit whatever to the number of men who wish to offer their services in the national military reserve. Their offer involves an honourable undertaking to serve if the need ever arises. Their allotment of dutv will of eourse. he based on their otin'ifientioe-, their denendants, their previous military service and their trade or other specialist training. FREE TO AY IT HDRA AY OFFER. Tf a man feels that he cannot undertake the duty to which lie has been allotted lie is perfectly free either to ask for a change or to withdraw his offer of service. i.e.. when the emergency arises. Except for the 5000 specially chosen for some training in peace the remainder of the reserve will not he allotted to specific tasks beforehand. AA’e require, however, a total of 5000 men who are prepared to undertake either of two duties in peace. First, to he organised as reserve units for specific duties in certain areas. They are required mainly for the immediate defenre of ports' such as Auckland, New Plvmouth. Napier, etc., and also for anti-aircraft and guard duties in the Plain cities. These reserve units will undertake a certain amount of refresher training as soon as they are organised. It will probably consist of night or week-end parades. It will not interfere in any way with their normal vocations, and will be limited to the definite duties for witch they are required. In addition, a number of men. preferably those with experience as officers and n.c.o.'s or as specialists, such as gun lnvers. rangefinders, etc., will be specially selected and asked to attend an annual refresher course which mar take the form of a six days’ course at one of the district schools or other appropriate training centre. These men will be required on mobilisation to fill key positions as specialist instructors in their own particular subject or for special administrative appointments. 1 attach the’ greatest importance to both these tasks. i.e.. the reserve units for definite home defence duties, a.nd the instructors who can augment our inadequate regular staff on mobilisation. I feel, therefore. that men who have special qualifications will not only offer their services but also l>e prepared to come forward and do a small amount of refresher training which we are proposing to give them. They will he undertaking a public duty which is most important —second in my opinion in importance only to the task which the Territorials undertake and really complement. It will be noticed in the details I have given above that no reference is made to men between the ages of 20 and 32, who have not had previous territorial or other training. The place for these men if they wish to help defend their own country is in the territorial force. If they find on offering their services that vacancies are not available in territorial units at their own centre, I hope they will place their names on the waiting lists ready to join up when there is room for them. I mention this because many of the city units are already up to their new establishment. I would like to conclude by saying this to every young man in New Zealand who has not yet made up his mind to joiii the territorial force. Remember the freedom, the military and social benefits he enjoys as a young citizen of tin's Dominion within the shelter of the British Commonwealth of Nations. T feel, therefore, you will agree that, personal sendee to the community in the form of training now for its defence is the best return you can make for the good tilings you receive. ST. JOHN AMBULANCE. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, May 25. ■ Regulations which have, been issued under the emergency precautions scheme provide that the St. John Ambulance Brigade shall bo the body to undertake all first aid and transport work. Now that this point has been settled every endeavour will he made to increase the strength of ambulance divisions throughout the Dominion and the chief commissioner, Colonel Barclay, is calling linon the mayors of towns and other authorities asking for their assistance in securing additional enrolments, narticulnrly of the male personnel. The senior brigade officer in each centre has been directed to confer with the municipal authorities as to the necessary steps which can be taken.