TO BE CALLED UP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 January 1942, Page 4

TO BE CALLED UP

FOR MILITARY SERVICE REMAINDER OF SINGLE MEN. MARRIED MEN WITHOUT CHILDREN. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. All remaining single men not previously called up in any ballot and all married men between the ages of 18 and 46, without children, are to be called up for military service in a special gazette to be issued on January 20. This announcement was made by the Minister of National Service, Mr Semple, in a statement last night. The Minister also said that if and when more men are required to complete the numbers necessary for the present stage of mobilisation they will be drawn from married men between the ages of 18 to 24 years inclusive, irrespective of the number of children.

“As a result of the serious war situation in the Pacific,” said Mr Semple, “the balance of the National Military Reserve and the Territorial Force will, as previously announced by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, be mobilised on January 10. In addition it has become necessary to bring the Territorial Force up to full war establishment and a greater number of men will, therefore, be required than are at present available. “It has, therefore, been decided to call up all the remaining single men who have not previously been called in any ballot. This mainly affects those who have recently attained the age of 18 years and those of 20 years of age. In addition, however, all married men without children, between the ages of 18 and 46, will also be called up. The Gazette, which will contain the names of approximately 27,000 men, will be issued on January 20, 1942. After medical examination, which will take place immediately after the Gazette has been issued, the men will be drafted into camp at the earliest possible moment. If and when further men are required to complete the numbers necessary for the present stage of mobilisation, they will be drawn from married men, ages 18 to 24 inclusive, irrespective of the number of children.

“It is unlikely that the men posted to camp will be released after the normal three months’ training,” said Mr Semple. “The question of how long they will remain mobilised will naturally depend on the gravity of the present war situation. I am sure that everyone will realise that some disruption of industry is inevitable by the withdrawal of a further large number of men from industry. Where employers are quite satisfied that, having regard to the military situation, postponement from mobilisation is warranted, application to the local Manpower Committees should be made,” concluded the Minister.