MILITARY RESERVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23181, 29 October 1938, Page 12

MILITARY RESERVE

1000 RETURNED SOLDIERS men for home defence SERVICE IN AN EMERGENCY [JIT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Friday The formation of a National Military Reserve of 1000 returned soldiers for home defence only in the event of an emergency is being undertaken by the defence authorities. Circulars inviting the enrolment of men from 40 to 50 „ years are being sent to members of the Returned Soldiers' Associations by the headquarters of the association. The Minister of Defence, the Hon. F." Jones, stated that the idea was to have a nominal register of certain people who would be available for guard duty and similar classes of work should their services be required. Mr. Jones added that offers of assistance in various capacities had been received from quite a number of returned soldiers, and it was thought that their services could be availed of in an emergency to perform duties that were important but ■ perhaps not so strenuous as others that might have to be performed. in the reserve, said the Minister, would not entail service overseas and no training was involved. A somewhat similar reserve was formed some time ago for the Air Force The secretary of the Returned Soldiers' Association stated that some ~ 30,000 copies of the circular were being sent out to returned men.