MOUNTED RIFLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23840, 16 December 1940, Page 9

MOUNTED RIFLES

CAMPS DELAYED VOLUNTARY ENLISTMENT [r,V TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION""] WELTJNGTDK, Satnrday The nister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, announced to-day that the number of men remaining under training in mobilisation camps for the Expeditionary Force was much greater than was anticipated, and it had been found necessary to delay entry into camps for some Territorial Force units. The units affected are the six mounted rifles regiments in the North Island, namely, the North Auckland Mounted Rifles, the Auckland Fast Coast Mounted Rifles, the Waikato Mounted Rifles, Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles, Wellington, the Fast Coast Mounted Rifles, and the Manawatu Mounted Rifles. It was intended that these regiments should commence training in camp on January 0, but they would not go into camp now until early in February, the Minister said. Some regiments were not yet up to full strength, and the postponement of camp dates would enable the gaps in the ranks to be filled. With the object of obtaining suitable men to make up the deficiencies, the Government had decided to accept voluntary enlistment of single men between the ages of 19 and Jo years who were specially suitable for service in the Mounted Rifles. "1 understand that there is a number of such men available and willing to join up, and I hope they will co, e forward without delay," said Mr. Jones. "Single men who are between the ages of 21 and -10 will still he subject to the ballot for overseas service. Any man wishing to volunteer should apply to the nearest army office." LATER MOBILISATION NORTH LAND TERRITORIALS [from our own correspondent] WHANG ARE I, Sunday The mobilisation date of the North Auckland Motorised Regiment (Territorial) has been delayed until early in February. Previously the regiment was to have entered camp on January 7. It is not known if this delay in the mobilisation of the regiment will also result in a postponement of the camp that was to have commenced on April 18, for men called in the ballot, but whose military service has been postponed by manpower committees.