TERRITORIAL FORCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23884, 11 August 1939, Page 7

TERRITORIAL FORCE

CANDIDATES FOR PROMOTION INCREASE IN NUMBER EVIDENCE OF EXPANSION iPeR United Press Association; WELLINGTON, Aug. 10. An indication of the extent of the expansion of the Territorial Force is the fact that this year 192 candidates will sit for the examinations for first appointment to a commission, compared with 82 last year. The examinations are to be held at the district schools of instruction at Narrow Neck, Trentham, and Burnham after a six-day course beginning on August 19. The candidates do a vvrittten paper and also undergo a practical examination in the field. It was stated to-day al Army Headquarters that the majority of vacancies for officers were in the re-established country units. The examinations for promotion of commissioned officers are to be held at the same time as the examinations for anopointments to first commission. There are 116 candidates, compared with 74 last year. This increase is not necessarily a result of the expansion of the Territorial Force, as officers sit the examination only when there is a vacancy. Frequently they have to wait some years before promotion. At Trentham this year there will be 30 candidates for appointment to first commission and 31 candidates for the promotion examinations. Twenty-two candidates for appointment to first commission in the artillery units will be examined at Fort Dorset. NATIONAL MILITARY RESERVE DROP IN RECRUITING FIGURES (Special to Daily Times) WELLINGTON. Aug. 10. Only 74 men enrolled in the National Military Reserve, during the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m to-day, compared with a daily, average of 243 since the ettr.olmerits began. Returned soldiers ard still well ahead of the other classes, enrolled. The state of the reserve this- morning was: Class I - ... ' -1..,, ... 2149 Class II (returned soldiers) .669s Class 111 1. .. 4999 Ineligible 2829 : 16.672 PHYSIQUE OF RECRIiITS MEDICAL OFFICER’S VIEWS NO FALL IN STANDARD CP Eft United Press Association) , ‘ WELLINGTON, Aug. 10. . The standard of physique of the men who bad' yolqhteered during recept-months went fa” toward dispelling the idea that the youth of the country was tending to become weedy, said a medical officer at Army Headquarters, Wellington, in •an Interview to-day. The.impression that had been gained by the examining medical officers was that the health and physique of the recruits was on just as high a plane to-day as before the war. Figures were not availabl , but it appeared that the percentage tur. ed down because of phvsica' disabilities was very small. One thing that had been established definitely, the officer said, was that a few months’ military training resulted in considerable improvement in' health and physique. Halfipch increases in height and increases in weight were frequent. Even, one week in camp was sufficient to effect i marked improvement' in the reneral health of trainees. The more .training the greater improvement, as instanced by the physique and health of members of the regular forces and of the territorial special reserve. Examinations of recruits had drawn attention to the appalling raplditv with which the teeth of many New 'Finlanders deteriorated, the medical officer continued. Good work was done by the s r hool dental clinics run b’ r the Government, b* t it appeared that there was a gap after school when lads in their teens were inclined to let their teeth go. Bad teeth did not necessitate the reiection of a recruit, but before the man could be accepted his teeth had to be out in order.