NEW ZEALAND’S NEW VOLUNTEER FORCE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6621, 6 August 1931, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND’S NEW VOLUNTEER FORCE

Recruits Number 2751

DEFENCE MINISTER EXPLAINS LEGISLATION Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. In moving the second reading of the Defence Amendment Bill in the House to-day, Hon. J. G. Cobbo said it provided for the drafting of members of tho Territorial force into the reserve on attaining the ago of 35 instead of 25 as at present. It was considered this extension of would, by the inclusion of a number of older men have, tho effect of stiffening up the various units. Provision was also mado for drafting a Territorial into the reserve at any time on his having completed three years’ efficient service, although he might not have attained 35 years of age. Ho pointed out that a Territorial might require for business reasons to retire from . active participation in training after he had served for a tiruo and tho provision .gave the necessary authority to enable this to be done. Tho Bill also provided for an extension of tho age for training in the reserve from 30 to 40. Referring to the Government’s dofenco policy generally, Mr. Cobbo said it was intended to spend annual amounts of £200,000 on land defence and £40,000 on aviation, and these sums would provide a force which would bo creditable to tho Dominion He paid tribute to tho fine spirit dis played not only by the permanent officers, but also by Territorial officers who by their enthusiasm were helping to make the volunteer movement a success. Tho newspapers also had been most helpful and on the whole the now system had been fairly dealt with. Throughout tho Dominion the number of recruits attested to 19th July were: Mounter Eifics 367, Artillery 757, Engineers 149, Signallers 117 Infantry 1091, Army Service Corps 143, Medical Corps 127. Up to date 50 per cent .of the number required to complete tho establishment had attested.

Mr. E. Waite said tho Bill was a recognition of the fact that recruits would not be forthcoming in large numbers and that it would be necessary to keep them under training for a longer period than formerly. Ho urged that some pretty stringent regulations should bo issued to deter employers from taking advantage of recruits by replacing them in their jobs because of their going into annual camps. It was possible such a situation might arise.

Mr. W. E. Barnard expressed the opinion that young recruits should be encouraged and should not bo deterred from service by precedence being given to older men. 110 agreed that there should be Statutory provision to ensure that volunteers’ jobs were kept open while they were in camp. Mr. T. \v. McDonald said ho welcomed tho proposal to raise the age because tho older men would be a great help to the young recruits. Mr. H. S. S. lvylc said ho thought an effort should bo made to encourage young men in country districts to join up with the mounteds, although ho admitted it would be difficult to secure tho necessary number of mounts The Bill was read a second time.