MANY OFFERS OF HELP

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1939, Page 9

MANY OFFERS OF HELP

AUTHORITIES INUNDATED WRONG CHANNELS TAKEN

Wellington, Last Night. "Everyone is very anxious to take an active part in our national war effort; as a result of this commendable enthusiasm the Army Department is being inundated with telephone inquiries and written personal offei's of all forms of service, which properly belong to other Government departments," said the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, tonight. "These offers have now grown to such dimensions that it is embarrassing to the army atithorities." "All building construction for military camps and other defence work is being done with the utmost speed by the Public Works Department. Offers of technical assistance for such work should therefore be made to the Public Works Department and not to army headquarters or the Minister of Defence. Similarly, provision of army stores is being handled under our national security plans by the Stores Control Board and the Department of Industries and Commerce, who are in close touch with all sections of industry and know exactly where to put their hands on the requisite materials. "Offers of personal service can still be made through the national military reserve organisation. Persons with special qualifications, as linguists and so on, should mention the facts on their offer of service card, which can Ijg obtained from the nearest post office. There is no necessity to make an offer personally to Ihe Minister or army headquarters. "All offers will be carefully considered, and .if the circumstances demand, the men who volunteer will be placed to the best advantage according to their locality and qualifications. The main point is that the army authorities are being embarrassed by enthusiastic offers of assistance at this stage when they are fully employed on their proper duties of organising and training, men for military service."