300 MEN NEEDED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20844, 30 June 1939, Page 9

300 MEN NEEDED

TERRITORIAL EXPANSION CAMPAIGN IN HAMILTON REPRESENTATIVE MEETING HELD Convened with the object of making preliminary plan? for a campaign to secure 300 men between the ages of 18 years and 32 years to join the territorial forces in Hamilton for service within the Dominion, a representative meeting was held in the Municipal Chambers yesterday afternoon. The meeting was convened by the Mayor. Mr H. D. Caro, who presided, and also present were Major A. E. Gibbons. Major E. F. Clayton-Greene, Major J. G. Bateson, Captain S. F. Allen, Messrs F. Findlay. T. G. Reynolds, J. H. Fow. 11. .1. Mc.Mullin, I). I. Gate. R. I). McFarland, E. P. J. Trevena, C. Clark (chief postmaster). H. Deverell. W. A. Hayward. R. P. Smith. W. L. Waddel (town clerk), and the Rev. H. J. Lilburn. Apologies were received from Messrs J. D. Hislop, F. \V. Luxford, A. E. Manning and C. JParlane. “At the outset I would like to say that although some of us might have very strong opinions concerning the desirability of continuing with the voluntary forces in times such as the present, we have got to make the best possible arrangements under the circumstances, and it is not part of our business today to enter into any discussion on the desirability or otherwise of instituting compulsory service,” said the Mayor when addressing the meeting. “It is my desire to open the campaign on July 13, and I propose that we arrange for a parade of the territorial force from Knox Street to the Waikato Winter Show Association’s hall, where a public meeting will be held at 8 p.m. Methods of Appeal “I am proposing to forward a large number of circulars to business men appealing for their co-operation and assistance in the campaign, and 1 think that, if the senior men in the community do their part, we can impress upon the men of territorial age the necessity for preparing, while they have the opportunity, to assist in the defence of their country.” Continuing, the speaker suggested that, apart from the public meeting at the opening of the campaign, the methods of the appeal should be on the following lines: Public addresses at the picture theatres on the evenings of July 14 and 15, and also at Rugby Park and the other sports grounds on July 15; talks to staffs by employers, managers, or speakers to be arranged by the meeting; a press campaign: and poster slogans and window displays.

Mr Caro suggested that a provisional executive comprising everyone present at the meeting be set up, and that the following provisional committees be established:—

Speakers’ committee, to arrange speakers at meetings:—Messrs R. D. McFarland (convener). H. D. Caro. J R. Fow, F. W. Luxford, D. I. Gate. T. G. Reynolds. H. J. McMullin, R. P. Smith. A. L. Tompkins, and the Rev H. J. Lilburn.

Press committee, to arrange publicity:—Messrs W. H. Paul and A. E. Manning. Army committee, to organise parade and window-dressing:—Major E. F. Clayton-Greene (convener). Major A. E. Gibbons and Captain S. F. Allen. Enrolment committee, to distribute posters and forms and to arrange foi recruiting depots and their furnishing and manning:—Major J. G. Bateson (convener), Messrs J. D. Hislop, F. Findlay. E. P. J. Trevena, H. Deverell. C. Croall, C. G. Hunt and the chief postmaster (Mr C. Clark). Enrolments for Reserves The Mayor stated that he had received figures showing that the enrolments In Hamilton for the reserve forces totalled 446 up to yesterday morning, the numbers being made up as follows?—Class 1, 83; Class 2, 187; Class 3, 174. In addition, 181 inquiries had been received from men who were Ineligible for the reserves, and of these 75 per cent were eligible for the territorials. “Whatever course of action is decided upon, I trust that everyone will do his best to obtain the required number of men,” stated the Mayor in conclusion. "The position as I see It is both serious and dangerous:” The Mayor’s suggestions regarding the committees were seconded by Mr Findlay and adopted, the committees being given power to add. The opinion that the appeal should/ spring from a civic source and not from the military authorities was expressed by Captain Allen, who stated that if the Army authorities took the lead there might be a suggestion of military bias. The object of the territorial force was .home defence, and men were needed between the ages of 18 years and 32 years. Each man was required to carry out 14 days’ training each year, the time to be made up of six days in the annual camp and eight days spread over half-day training and week-end bivouacs. The pay for ordinary time was 7s per day and the camp allowance was 5s per day. in addition the men could attend special courses of instruction, to and from which their expenses were paid. In all. a man could be paid for ji maximum of 20 days’ training in one year. The period of service was three years. It was not intended that anyone who gave his services for the defence of his country should be out of pocket through it. Assistance from Employers

"The employers should give this matter full publicity among their staffs before the public meeting is he.'d." said Mr Reynolds. “Unless interest is aroused beforehand we cannot hope for the meeting to he a success, and I think that it it a reasonable request with which the employers would comply." That matter had already received consideration, said the Mayor, who added that it was desired to arouse interest among the young people more than among those of advanced years. The men whose presence was most desired at the public meeting were those who would be potential recruits. "It would be a further incentive to the young men to join up if the employers would make up the difference between th* usual pay and that received while the men are in training." said Mr Smith. Although it might only be a few shillings, many of the men cannot alford to lose it. If the

young men are to make a sacrifice for the defence of the country, surely it is good enougli for the employers to do the same.” The opinion that it would have been better to have addressed the sports clubs and other organisations instead of holding the public meeting was expressed by Major Gibbons, while Captain Allen contended that it would be better to hold the meeting on the Thursday night as was proposed and the parade on the following evening when more people would be in the town. The parade from Knox Street to London Street and back could be completed in less than an hour. Need for Compulsion "1 think that we are starting in the wrong way,” commented Mr Findlay, who agreed that there should not he any great difficulty in holding the parade on a Friday night. "If we are to make these sacrifices for home defence we should be told we are going to do it in the same way as we are told to do practically everything else.” "Holding the parade on a Friday night might hurt some people, but if that is done it will be talked about, and if it is talked about it will arouse attention and that is just what we want,” commented Mr Reynolds. It was derided to hold !lie parade on July 14, starting from Knox Street at 7.15 p.m