Need Men For Regular Army

Northern Advocate, 3 June 1947, Page 5

Need Men For Regular Army

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The strength of the regular forces was considerably depleted through war casualties and retirements, and the Government intended recruiting other ranks for the New Zealand regular force, said the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones) today. The time was now opportune to rebuild the force to enable it to fulfill its responsibilities. While the general post-war defence policy had not yet been decided by the Government, it was important that a post-war plan should be implemented without delay to the extent of providing soldiers to meet overseas commitments, to carry on essential-services in New Zealand, and to establish a highly-trained and efficient cadre as a nucleus for any fighting force it might be necessary to raise in the future. Some hundreds of men were required immediately, said the Minister.

The Government had introduced a new pay code, which compared very favourably with that ruling in industry.

ATTRACTIVE CAREER

The work was interesting and instructive and opportunities for advancement were excellent. There were vacancies in all trade categories, both for trained tradesmen and for young men wishing to train as tradesmen.

The Army offered an attractive career, or, for those who wished it, a short-service engagement. The Minister said preference would be given to applicants who were serving in the interim army and 2nd NZEF in Japan, and to ex-members of' the forces.

The initial terms of service varied from two to five years, while on completion of the original term, and subject to a favourable recommendation from commanding officers, soldiers would be permitted to re-engage for a further term to reach the compulsory retiring age of 45 years.