For King, Country and Empire

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 297, 16 December 1939, Page 6

For King, Country and Empire

Appeal for Second Echelon

EARLY APPLICATION ADVISED Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 15. An appeal for recruits to bring tho Second Echelon of tho Special Militarv Force up to full strength and to provide a nucleus for the Third Echelon wa.4 made by the Minister of Defence, lion. F. Jones, in a .statement to-night. Enlistments will be on the same conditions as those for tho First Echelon. ‘ ‘ The First Echelon has completed its preliminary training,” said Mr. Jones, “and will shortly leave for advanced training overseas. The mobilization camps will then be available for the training of the Second Echelon. Numbers of men who have already enlisted and have been passed as medically fit are waiting to enter camp with the Second Echelon, but more are required to nqi.ke up the full strength and provide a nucleus for the Third Echelon. “Those prepared to offer their services should do so as soon as possible. Officers for the Second Echelon have been training since November 8. Noncommissioned officers are also in training and their number will be supplemented from later enlistments. Some who volunteered for the First Echelon were rejected on account of minor dental defects. There will be no further rejections on this ground, as all such troubles will be rectified by Army dental officers in camp. On the day recruiting opened lor the First Echelon volunteers exceeded the total number required. Volunteers for the Second Echelon may have difficulty in beating this record, but they can equal it. Service with the forces involves a sacrifice, but the Government has always believed the necessary sacrifice would be made when the need was known. The men on final leave have obeyed the call of duty and the country honours them. I am confident their fellow men will not falter now in a national effort to maintain and guarantee the safety of New Zealand and the British Commonwealth. “I have arranged for a continuation of the central recruiting committee and. the following officers will carry out the campaign with invself as chairman; Colonel O. H. Mead, D. 5.0., adjutantgeneral; Mr. F. B. Dwyer, of Army Headquarters; Major K. E. Murray, Army publicity officer; Major E. 11. Whiting, of the central military district and Mr. J. T. Paul, director of publicity. I cordially welcome the assistance of territorial associations, local bodies and representatives of other organisations and citizens generally to ensure the success of this appeal.”