WITHIN TEN OF ITS STRENGTH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 167, 18 July 1939, Page 8

WITHIN TEN OF ITS STRENGTH

REGIMENT IN WANGANUI SPORTSMEN JOIN THE FORCES EFFECT OF MEETING LAST NIGHT Twenty-seven recruits enrolled in the Wellington West Coast Regiment at an enthusiastically attended recruiting rally in the Victoria Hail last night, bringing the total for tne Wanganui area to within 10 of the minimum establishment of 317. Sports bodies were widely represented, 12 members of the Wanganui anu Old Boys Football Club, including the team captain (D. G. Barton) setting a lead by signing up, and, in addition, offering to have a full platoon of club members enrolled before next Friday. Captain B. Barrington, recruiting olficor for the Central Military District, who outlined the conditions of military service, at the meeting, was highly pleased with lhe response anc< commented on the excellent type of young men who were joining, it was desired to bring the regimental strength to a total of 381 with the right type of men, said Captain Barrington. The Mayor, Mr. W. J. Rogers, presided and introduced the speaker. There were also present Captain J. W. Barry, N.Z.S.C., Major D. A. C. Lilburne, and Mr. N. R. Bain, president of the Wanganui Territorial Associd' tion. Keen for Wanganui to Lead. Expressing gratification at the attendance, Captain Barrington said that he was keen that vv'anganu’ should reach its established quota lor two reasons. Firstly, because Wan ganui was the first area in which tne campaign had been begun, and, sec ondiy, for a purely personal imerest. in that he had been attached io the Wellington West Coast Regiment 10-20 20 years. " There is no need for me to go into the qucMicn ol the necessity for a defence force," said Captain Barrington. "Every right thinking person realises that such a force is essential. The Government hopes to obtain a force of 16,000 well trained men for home defence by the voluntary system, am. although it has been said that the young men of to-day are lacking in many qualities, i am convinced that this is not the case. An excellent response is forthcoming from men of the? right type, and already the metropolitan centres have obtained their full quotas. "In Wanganui 130 young men are required to bring the quota up to full strength and 1 am sure the appeM will not be in vain." In outlining the conditions of service in the Wellington West Coast Regiment, Captain Barrington ftaiu that he wishea first to make it clear that the L’rritonal force was entirely for home defence. The period a re cruit .signed on for was three yeai\ and that Was considered suliieient time to turn a young man into an efficient soldier. He wished to emphasise the fact that a territorial, once he joined up : was tied down for the agreed period Il he had a satisfactory reason for leaving the force ho could obtain a discharge. However, it was hopex that every man would remain. (, rtain Sacrifices. Captain Botrlnglon point'd tha., in order to ootain me necessaty training, each territorial had to mak<. a certain sacrifice of lime. 'There wa. the annual camp of six days, three weck-und bivouacs during lhe yuai which were arranged so as not. l< clash with the sporting events, and r

veck of specialised training at Trenttarn. The real sacrifice was the at Lending of 20 fortnightly parades o. wo hours during the year. However Captain Barrington said that he die rot think it was asking too mudsacrifice from young men who wishec .o take part in the defence of then country. Promotion was by merit, ind meri' alone, said Captain .cairington. Youiq it. n were given every opportunity o. ising to non-commissioned rank, the; :ommissioned rank. He emphasiser Lhe fact that with the increasec strength of the territorials then vouid be more chances of promotion. "We arc not asking you to play r jame but to play a man's part, ’ saic Captain Barrington. "When you ge aver the recrun stage, and get on V nore advanced work, you will find i( M absorbing interest. Now that a r ( suit’s course is h e ld each month al Trentham, you can go through prac .ically all the elementary training ir a week." The Rates of Pay. Explaining the rates of pay, Capain Barrington said that territoriaL LCcJved 12s a day in camp, including ravelling expenses, and could draw tq Is a day for out-of-camp training, sc .hat no man was out. oi pocket. The majority of employers definitely support ‘d military training to-day, h< said. All Government employees were Jvcn up to 14 days’ leave each yeai md nearly all civil employers were agreeable to letting their men off. The minimum age for territorials was 1< years and the maximum 32 years while for the too old there was tht lational reserve. "It is up to the young men of thn ?ity to see that Wanganui is the first Lo reach the full quota," concludc< Captain Barrington. The Pirates Footjail Club had set a fine example tc other sports bodies, and young me; such as these will ensure a sufficien: /olunteer force in this country to play ts part should the occasion arise." A vote of thanks to Captain Barrington was proposed by Mr. Bain. A number of questions on the conditions of military training was answered.