P.& T. Officers Respond Well To Call For Recruits

Northern Advocate, 31 January 1940, Page 7

P.& T. Officers Respond Well To Call For Recruits

[Per Press Association. Copyright ] WELLINGTON, This Day.

The excellent response by officers of the Post and Telegraph Department since the outbreak of war for volunteers for service w’ith the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, the Royal New Zealand Air Force and the Navy and coastal ports has been most gratifying,” said the Minister for Defence (Mr Jones) last evening. “'Up to the present 680 members of the department's staff from all parts ox the Dominion have offered their services for such form of defence duties.

“This represents 19 per cent, of the officers of the department who are of military age. Many Waiting to be Called Up

More than 300 of these are now serving with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 100 with the Royal Air Force, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 30 are on naval duties, and 60 are on home defenced duties. “The remainder of those who have enlisted are waiting to be called up.

“In addition, many officer of all ages have volunteered for home service.

"If they can be spared or used to advantage, save in exceptional circumstances, no restriction has been placed on the release of men aged 21 and over who have volunteered for service overseas, although in many cases the position of relief for officers ceasing duty has presented some difficulty. Whole of One Staff Joined Up

“In one small office in the North Island, where a staff of four officers is employed, the whole of the personnel, including the postmaster, enlisted, and all were passed fit for active service. "So far the department has been able to keep pace with the staffing demands to ensure that men who enlist may continue to be released for military duties, and that all essential services to the public can be maintained. “Future staffing requirements are receiving special attention by the Director-General. “All those released,” said the Minister, “are being regarded as on special leave without pay, and they have been assured that while on military duty their positions and intei-est in the department will be safeguarded.”