MILITARY RESERVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23894, 23 August 1939, Page 7

MILITARY RESERVE

INCREASE IN ENROLMENTS TOTAL EXCEEDS 17,000 (Special to Daily Times) WELLINGTON, Aug. 22. The enrolments in the national military reserve still continue to increase slowly, 95 being received in the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. to-day. The enrolments now are:— Class 1 •• 2224 Class 2 (returned soldiers) 6969 Class 3 .. ...... .. 5192 Ineligible .. ..' •• •• 2913 . Total .... .. •• 17,298 CENTRAL MILITARY DISTRICT RECRUITING SITUATION SATISFACTORY (Special to Daily Times) WELLINGTON, Aug. 22. "The recruiting situation can be regarded with considerable satisfaction," said Colonel E. Puttick, officer commanding the Central Military District, commenting to-day upon the latest recruiting figures for the territorial units in the district. "I would stress the necessity, however, for all units to continue their efforts to secure additional men, as the nearer .they get to their war establishments the greater their value for war and the greater the ease and speed of mobilisation. The main need now is for all units to push on training with the greatest possible despatch to absorb a large number of recruits and to imbue them with the spirit and traditions of their units, and for all ranks to make a strong personal endeavour to make themselves thoroughly efficient."

Colonel Puttick said that an increase of 104 men had been recorded during the week, brihgmg the total strength in the district to 242 officers and 5501 other ranks. This was a surplus over the peace establishments of 582 men, of whom 188 were special reservists and 261 bandsmen. Only three of the 19 units and eight of the 40 training centres in the district were short of the quota allotted to them. The Wellington-West Coast Regiment had succeeded in exceeding its peace establishment by two men and the 22nd Anti-aircraft Battery had done likewise by one man. The three units under the establishment were the 15th Heavy Battery (16 short), the 2nd Field Company New Zealand Engineers (11 short), and the Taranaki Regiment (53 short). The Taranaki Regiment, which was the only infantry battalion under the estabment. had improved its position by 17 men.

"It is somewhat surprising that the Engineers should still be under strength, as the Engineers' Institution has shown considerable interest in the unit, and a city like Wellington should have no difficulty in finding its total allotment of 132," said Colonel Puttick. "Similarly it was expected that the 15th Heavy Battery which mans the forts and ->n which the safety of the city of Wellington so much depends in the event of war, would have filled its ranks before this. As this unit Is shortly to make a special effort to build up its strength to something approaching war establishment —the matter of an additional 350 men—a considerable increase in the strength of the unit is expected. A very notable accession of strength occurred this week through Massey Agricultural College at Palmerston North providing approximately three officers and 80 men for the Manawatu Mounted Rifles—the one motorised mounted regiment in the district. This indicates a very fine spirit at the college, and these men, considering their type and the special opportunities for training they enjoy, should soon reach a high state of efficiency. As the men come from all parts of New Zealand, the military training at the college will be of considerabe benefit to the forces generally, as a steady supoly of trained men of whom a considerable proportion should be prospective officers and n.c.o.'s, will become available throughout the country "