AUXILIARY RESERVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 179, 1 August 1940, Page 4

AUXILIARY RESERVE

CIRCULAR RECEIVED BY i WANGANUI R.S.A. NOMINATIONS FOR AREA LEADER — Started by the National Service Department, it has been decided to establish an auxiliary reserve, comprising men who are not members ot the . existing forces. Advice to this effect j has beer, received by the Wanganui ! branch of the New Lealand Returned ; Soldiers’ Association in a circular re- • celved from headquarters. The Wanganui branch of the R.S.A. I has been asked to nominate men for ■ the position of area leader in Wan-, ganui, not more than three names to j be submitted. These will be sent to I the association headquarters which will, in turn, submit them to the Na- j tional Service Department. The work of the reserve will be to defend localities in which members live and contiguous districts, and arms and equipment will be issued later. In the meantime members of the reserve will parade, drill, and do physical exercises under the guidance of the Army Departmen 4 . In the event of trouble in New Zealand the Army Department will take control. So that the auxiliary reserve may be established without delay the Returned Soldiers’ Association has been asked to nominate men considered suitable as district and area leaders. One of the area leaders will be stationed in Wanganui. Those selected must have had some military experience and possess organising ability, states the circular. Three district leaders to be appointed will be in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, corresponding with the military commands. These men will be required to act in the closest concert with the officers commanding the military districts and must be persons of wide military experience and organising ability. Sixteen area leaders will be stationed in Auckland, Paeroa, Whangarei, Hamilton, Wellington, Wanganui, Gisborne, Napier, Masterton. New Plymouth, Nelson, Greymouth. Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill. Their work will be to organise auxiliary reserves in each area in the closest collaboration with

military area officers and sub-area officers. Leaders will act in a purely honorary capacity, but the Government will reimburse travelling expenses. Office accommodation will be arranged. _