MORE MEN NEEDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23721, 30 July 1940, Page 9

MORE MEN NEEDED

RESERVE BATTALION TRENCH MORTAR WORK OPPORTUNITY FOR GUNNERS

A call to ex-servico artillerymen to enrol with the National Reserve. Class 11., fortress battalion, that is an integral part of Auckland's defence forces, was made last night by Captain Gilbert Archer, commanding the battalion, at n gathering convened by the Auckland Artillery Association (Great War) and the Ist Battery Reunion Committee. The meeting was well attended and later many of those present filled in enrolment forms. Captain Archey said that until the recent official organisation of the reserve there had appeared to be no special place in it for ex-servicemen gunners. Now, however, the battalion could be called a mixed battalion, almost a miniature brigade, and there was _ a definite opportunity for exservicemen gunners to man trench mortars in the support, or "J)" company, of the battalion.

The company would consist of three machine-gun platoons and three trench mortar platoons, each of four mortars. For theso 12 mortars the battalion wanted 117 men, each mortar being manned by a team of nine, with the nine remaining men being used for other duties. Captain Archey said the mortars would be placed in fixed positions, • so that there would be no call on men who were possibly past it to have to carry tho heavy base from point to point on an action front. Ho also explained the obligations following enrolment. those being to train and to mobilise in the event of general mobilisation to meet an emergency. Training would amount to 40 days spread over the 10 months remaining in the training year. Each month there would be four night parades, two halfday parades and two whole-day parades, the two latter being held on the first and third week-ends every month. Pay would bo at tho rate of 7s a full day parade, without marriage allowances, and all faros to training points would be paid. Captain A. A. Currey. New Zealand Field Artillery, who presided, explained the weapon, the 6in. Newton mortar, that would be used, and outlined its service in the last war. SAMOAN WAR EFFORT PURCHASE OF AEROPLANE [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Monday A citizens' meeting considered the proposal of the United Progressive Partv that funds be raised in Western Samoa to buy or help to buy an aeroplane as a gift to the Royal Air Force from Samoa,, states a Press Association message from Apia. The initial effort will be to raise £SOOO by subscription, but if this sum is not obtained whatever is collected will be given toward the cost of an aeroplane. SOLDIERS' NEXT-OF-KIN INFORMATION BOOKLET [BY JELEGRAPII —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Monday It is expected that by the end of this week the first supplies will be delivered from the printers of the booklet the National Patriotic Fund Board has compiled for the use of the next-of-kin of members of the fighting services. Copies are to be distributed by provincial patriotic councils.