ENTRY INTO CAMP POSTPONED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 295, 16 December 1940, Page 4

ENTRY INTO CAMP POSTPONED

. MOUNTED RIFLE UNITS DELAY OF ONE MONTH The Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, announced on Saturday that the number of men remaining under training in mobilisation camps for the second N.Z.E.F. was much greater than was anticipated and it had been found necessary to delay the entry into camps of some of the Territorial force units.

Units affected are the six mounted rifles regiments in the North Island, namely the North Auckland Mounted Rifles, the Auckland and East Coast Mounted Rifles, the Waikato Mounted Rifles, Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles, the Wellington and East Coast Mounted Rifles, and the Manawatu Mounted Rifles. It was intended that these regiments should commence training in camp on January 6, but they will not go into camp now until early in February. The Minister said that some regiments were not yet up to full strength and postponement of camp dates might enable gaps in the ranks to be filled.

With the object of obtaining suitable men to make up'the deficiencies, the Government had decided to accept voluntary enlistment of single men between the ages of 19 and 45 years who were specially suitable for service in the mounted rifles. "I understand there arc a number of such men available and willing to join up and I hope they come forward without delay,” said Mr. Jones. “Single men who are between the ages of 21 and 40 will still be subject to ballot for overseas service.”

Any man wishing to volunteer should apply to the nearest army office. The Minister said in conclusion that he would like to make it clear that such voluntary enlistment was restricted to mounted rifles regiments only.