AUCKLAND CALL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 10 January 1940, Page 4

AUCKLAND CALL

PATRIOTIC COUNCIL MOVE APPROVAL OF CABINET AUCKLAND, 9th January. An active recruiting campaign throughout the province is to be undertaken by the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council, as the result of a special meeting held last night, at which the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, was present. The Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, presided. In a letter to the meeting, the Prim# Minister, Mr Savage, emphasised the urgent need for men for the second echelon, and added that local organisation as well as Government initiative were essential. The letter was read by Mr Jones. In it, Mr Savage said the Cabinet had decided to invite the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council, in conjunction with the defence authorities and representative organisations and citizens, to undertake the organisation of the recruiting campaign in the district it covered. Since the announcement that the first echelon would leave New Zealand, enlistments in the Auckland district had increased. Referring to the offer of service overseas by Auckland yachtsmen in large numbers, Mr Jones said the Government had been in communication with the Imperial authorities, but no answer had yet been received. It was his intention to pursue the suggestions, and he would do his best to have a decision expedited. The Mayor said the objective for the province was 2000 men, since provision had to be made for reinforcements as well as strength for the second and third echelons. SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS It was decided that the chairman and deputy-chairman of the council should 1 address meetings in various parts of the Auckland province. A start will be made at once in various