NEW ZEALAND UNIT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23946, 23 October 1939, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND UNIT

FORMATION IN ENGLAND WILL BE DRAFTED TO FORCES (From Our Own Correspondent) LONDON, Sept. 22. A New Zealand unit is being formed in England for New Zealanders between 21 and 35. resident in or visiting, who wish to enrol. They will go into camp under the charge of Major C. S. J. Duff. R.N.Z.A. (Auckland), and after training will be drafted to the main body of the New Zealand forces. Over 500 New Zealanders have already registered with the High Commissioner for war service Others are eager to undertake any kind of service. Among them are men of senior military rank, doctors, dentists, chemists, architects. and solicitors. Nurses have also offered their services. Heading the list is General Sir Alexander Godley. who commanded the New Zealand forces in the late war in Gallipoli and France. He is 72. All who have volunteered and left their names at New Zealand House will receive a letter from the High Commissioner advising them of the date on which they are asked to report for medical examination.

It is expected that a meeting of New Zealanders will be held shortly to discuss directions in which their various London organisations can direct their energies most usefully. It is expected that the New Zealand War Contingent Association will be re-formed. In the Great War this association was responsible for seeing that New Zealand representatives called periodically at every hospital to keep contact with New Zealanders. It is also likely that the New Zealand Society and the New Zealand Women’s Association will play an important part.