Mounted Rifles Camp Delayed

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 307, 16 December 1940, Page 8

Mounted Rifles Camp Delayed

NOW IN FEBRUARY For Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 14. The Minister of Defence, Hon. F. Jones, announced to-day that the number of men remaining under training in mobilisation camps for tho Second N.Z.E.F. was much greater than was anticipated, and it had been found necessary to delay the entry into camps of some Territorial Force units. The units affected are the six-mounted rifle? regiments in the North Island —viz., the North Auckland Mounted Rifles, the Auckland and East Coast Mounted Rifles, the Waikato Mounted Rifles, the Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles } the Wellington and East Const Mounted Rifles and the Manawatu Mounted Rifles. It was intended that these regiments should commence training ’in camp on January (3, but they will not go into camp now until early in February. The Minister said that some of the regiments are not yet up to full strength, and the postponement of the camp dates will enable the gaps in the ranks to bo filled. With the object of obtaining suitable men to make up the deficiencies, the Government has decided to accept tho voluntary enlistment of hingle men between the ages of 19 and 15 years who are specially suitable for service in the mounted rifles. “I understand that there aro a number of such men available and willing to join up, and I hope that they will come forward without delay,” said Mr. Jones. “Single men who are between the ages of 21 and 40 will still be subject to the ballot for overseas service. ’ } Any man wishing to volunteer should apply to the nearest Army Office. The Minister said in conclusion that he would like to make it clear that such voluntary enlistment was restricted to mounted rifles regiments only.