FEWER MEN OFFER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23603, 12 March 1940, Page 9

FEWER MEN OFFER

ENLISTMENT FIGUKES DECLINE IN THE RATE NORTHERN DISTRICT TOTALS After remaining-in the vicinity of 200 for some weeks, the number of new registrations in, tlie northern military district for the Expeditionary Force fell to 110 for the week ended March 9. The total for the previous week was 220. Maori Battalion recruiting also declined, there being 20 new recruits, against 41 the week before. Enlistments of Europeans in the northern military district totalled 10,453 up to last Saturday. This figure includes men accepted for service, those unfit and others still to ho examined: The recruiting total last week was made up as follows, the previous week's figures being shown in parentheses:— Auckland, 18 (105); Paeroa, 52 (49); Whangarei, 21 (29); Hamilton, 19 (38). Returns in the Maori Battalion were: —Auckland, 2 (12); Paeroa, 16 (18); Whangarei, (4). These totals are effective figures, after allowance has been made for wastage, including that due to reserved occupations and other causes.

RECRUITING TOUR DEPUTY-PRI ME MINISTER DARGAVILLE VISIT INCLUDED A visit to Dargaville has now been included in the itinerary of the deputyPrime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, and the Chief of the General Staff, Major-General J. E. Duigan, who are at present engaged in a Dominion tour to forward the recruiting campaign for the Expeditionary Force. They will arrive at Whangarei on Friday by aeroplane and will motor to Dargaville for an afternoon parade before returning to Whangarei for an evening address. On Saturday they will visit Hamilton and on Sunday will arrive in Auckland, Mr. Fraser leaving the Bame night for Wellington. Major-General Duigan will inspect Dargaville's parade of territorials and returned soldiers. Six ratings from H.M.S. Achilles will also take part in the parade. During the day an appeal for money for the fighting services' fund will be made. It will include a personal house-to-house canvass and street collections throughout Dargaville and the Hobson and Otamatea counties. At lunch-timc aeroplanes from Hobsonville will drop pamplets over Dargaville calling attention to the need for recruits.

PARCELS FOR TROOPS TOBACCO DUTY EFFECT POSITION IN AUCKLAND Although the Government has issued advice to private persons not _to send tobacco or cigarettes to troops in Egypt because of the heavy duty applied, the Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Committee is continuing to appeal for gifts of these articles to help make up tho bulk parcels being prepared for distribution to members of the first echelon. "We have not been informed whether the duty applies to these bulk parcels," said the chairman of the committee, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, last night. "We are therefore continuing to collect tobacco and cigarettes and if it proves that the duty position does apply to these parcels then we will see to it that these two gifts are effectively distributed to other members of the fighting forces. We certainly will not create a position where the soldiers are called upon to pay heavy duty."

SERVICE TO COUNTRY AUCKLAND FAMILY'S PART Advice has been received by Mr. H. T. Merritt, of Auckland, that his third son, Mr. N. F. Harcourt Merritt, has been commissioned as a second-lieu-tenant in the Royal Norfolk Regiment. Lieutenant Merritt volunteered in England during the crisis of September, 1938, and was called up on the outbreak of war, joining an officers' training camp. Lieutenant Merritt is the third son of Mr. Merritt on active service. Another is Lieutenant H. G. C. Merritt, of the Indian Army. Mr. Merritt's youngest son, Sub-Lieutenant A. I. Merritt, is serving in H.M.S. Wishart. Another son, Mr. F. E. R.. Merritt, has volunteered for the R.N.V.R.

CONVALESCENT HOME 80 SOLDIERS ADMITTED [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Monday Over 80 patients have been admitted to the Bryant Home, Raglan, since the home was opened for convalescent soldiers shortly after the outbreak of war. It was first intended that the home should bo used solely for soldiers, but about a month later it was decided to include members of the Navy and Air Force. At present, there are 23 patients in the home, among them being Sergeant S. J. Trimble, C.G.M., of the Royal Marines, who was wounded on H.M.S. Achilles during the battle of the River Plate. Arrangements are also being made for an airman to be admitted to the home shortly.