TERRITORIAL UNIT

Opunake Times, 31 March 1939, Page 2

TERRITORIAL UNIT

PLATOON FOR BOROUGH

MANY PROBABLE RECRUITS’

With the names of over twenty young men listed, the majority of them definite recruits, the efforts of the Opunake branch of the New Zealand Defence League

to establish in the borough mp infantry platoon to provide military training seem likely to achieve, success. Enrolments of those willing to serve were made at a meeting on Wednesday, and these “foundation members” will form the basis of an application to tlm Defence Department. Naturally, until the borr«ugh is established as an infantry training centre, and until Hip applicants have submitted themselves to examination, definite recruiting is not possible, i'ut it is now assured that the department will give sympathetic consideration to the request.

The new military training year opens in June next, and preliminary organisation work should bo completed before that date.

Mr. (J. W. Williams, a member of the branch executive, presided over the meeting which comprised interested citizens and some fifteen young men anxious to learn details of the vluntary training. The efforts of the branch up to the pre.sent point, were, recast by * the secretary, Mr. R, B. Croke, who also gave a resume of the recent address hy Lieutenant W. IT. Alexander, who reviewed fully the conditions. requirements and objectives of volunteer service. Mr. Croke stated that enquiries by members of the league had elicited the information that there were at least sixteen young men willing to- join an infantry unit if it were established in Opunake.

The league was pressing for

tlie re-introduction of compulsory training, said Mr. Williams, and in the present state of world affairs, there were few who would not admit that it was essential to the continued safety of the Dominion. Australia had moved to improve, her defences

by the initiation of a militia

system, and New Zealand must also prepare to meet a similar necessity to that foreseen there. For that purpose, the Defence League had been formed, and, while it was endeavouring to nrovi.de for the adequate, defence •'£ the cQimtry against an invader by supporting the voluntary system, it was working up a pubtie opinion in favour of compulsory training, Mr. Williams, impressed upon the young men present that the volunteer for military training today offered himself for home defence only, and not for overseas service, while the league, in pressing for compulsory service, had a similobjective. A further point stressed by the chairman was. the necessity for recruits to appreciate the serious nature of the service for which they were offering themselves. It had been made clear by Lieutenant Alexnder that the man who was not keen was not wanted, and intending recruits should hear that in mind. When thev took up service, they should qoply themselves to it thoroughly, and give unswerving attention to their duty.' Discipline and obedience were the main features of army service. “You are fairly heated,” he said, “and if you 'day the game, yqu will find

that it is. not all hard work, but that there is a lot of pleasure and fun to be derived from it, +oo.” If a platoon were formed, Hose who were responsible fexits establishment should see to it, that it was not allowed to lapse through lack of interest.

Some interested young men had been concerned that military service would interfere to some degree with their sport, said Mr. C. X. Thayer, but'this was not a very serious problem. He understood that the. authorities avoided as far as possible any dash hetAveen army service and sports fixtures.

Personal experience while in camp at Max-ton recently with the Wellington unit of the Army Service corps were related by Bey. J. H. Bailey,, chaplainmajor to the forces. Specialized

training was given in the various classes of work the men were called upon to do, and discipline was rigidly observed. Mechanical transport now was an important part, and was extensively used in “stunts,” the essential nature of mobility being realized. Training was varied to provide adequate instruction in all the. different aspects, of service. * At the conclusion of the meet-

utg, particulars relating to the age and previous experience of "Tollable recruits were taken by the secretary for the information of the department. It was made clear that the ages of recruits Were to he between 18 and 32 years, except in the. case, of n.c.o.’s., and any recruit not within this class would not be officially recognised as a trainee.