ARMY RECRUITING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19919, 22 April 1939, Page 7

ARMY RECRUITING

GISBORNE SPEED-UP INFANTRY AND MOUNTEDS STRENGTH RISES RAPIDLY RESPONSIBLE TRAINEES The prospect of a Crisis in which the defence of New Zealand would become more than an academic topic has had its effect upon the recruiting of territorials in this district, and with enlistment limits lifted for the time being, the Gistoome establishment of the Army Department is havng a busy time issuing equipment and uniforms to young men who, more keenly than at any time in. thf lust 20 years, are taking an interest in military matters.

Three platoons of infantry, including the -motor-•evele 'corps, are now at full strength, and another platoon is almost ready for swearing in. The mounted rifles are also UD to strength. and there is no difficulty in keeping the unit up to the full roll.

Better Results From Training

In all, there are 90 infantrymen in training in Gisborne under the territorial scheme, with eight commmissioned officers available; while the mounted rifles trainees number 40 "other ranks" with five officers. Musters at the periodical parades are highly satisfactory, and officers and men alike are able to secure more interesting results' from their training.

The special reserve ot ex-service-men, comprising veterans of the N.Z.E.F. and other war-time forces, has attracted a number of volunteers. These men will be called on for home defence work in the event of war breaking out, and in the meantime ure being allotted to various emergency tasks which they will assume niitomatically should the occasion arise. To-day the defence office at Gisborne received the offer of a V.A.D.'s services, this being the first offer from a woman.

Most of the territorial enlistments of recent weeks have been from men over 21 years of age, all of responsible types, and fivst-class material for defence purposes. The Army Department is anxious to secure more young men, however, of the 18 to 21 years age-group, and opportunities will be given to youths of this group to take up specialist work as part of their training.

UNIVERSAL TRAINING INTEREST IN DEFENCE "The Defence of New Zealand" formed an interesting subject for one of the series of addresses at the recent annual meeting of the Gisborne Young Farmers' Club. The speaker, Mr. G. H. Cooper, gave notice that at the next meeting of the club he intended moving the following motion:— "That the Gisborne Young Farmers' Club strongly support the present m'ore vigorous defence policy in New Zealand and urges a system of universal military training and that a national register be compiled." Mr. Cooper stressed the fact that while no section of the community would be harder hit than the farmers in the event of war, it was vitally necessary, in the interests of all sections of the community, that New Zealand should be adequately defended.

It was to be regretted that this was necessary, but there were in the world to-day three nations whose motto appeared to be "Let's take a nation." England had two of these three nations in close proximity to her, and had informed her Dominions overseas that they must be responsible for their own defence. The speaker's remarks were received with hearty applause. Mr. Hunter Witters was given leave to support Mr. Cooper's remarks, and he stated that whereas 40,000 men were required for the defence of the country, the number of territorials, through lack of public support, had shown a drastic decline since 1931.

PRESENT LAND FORCES

INCREASE NEEDED

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this clay

The urgent need for increasing NewZealand's land forces was stressed by the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., in an address to an attendance of 1700 in the Town Hall. Mr. Perry reviewed the present world conditions in the light of recent events, and appealed for action on the part of every New Zealander, in order to maintain the (nation's freedom. "Whereas it cost the British taxpayer £9 10s last year for defence New Zealanders paid only £1 55," said Mr. Perry. "The Government deserves credit for the expansion of the Air and for calling the present defence conference, but both the Government and the people have fallen down in the provision of adequate land forces.

"The present local forces number enly 9000, 'which is a wholly miserable and inadequate establishment," he concluded.