GOOD RESPONSE TO ARMY RECRUITING AT WHAKATANE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 72, 5 December 1949, Page 5

GOOD RESPONSE TO ARMY RECRUITING AT WHAKATANE

A direct contrast with the air force recruiting station the army unit, which visited Wliakatane last week had some fine results and the recruiting officers left the town on Saturday well satisfied with their efforts. They had many inquiries and signed up a la.ge number of candidates.

The unit commenced recruiting at Whakatane on Monday and brought with them two large army trucks, one the recruiting office and the other a mobile workshop. The workshop attracted much ' interest and during the evenings when it was in operation it attracted much interest. A searchlight attached to the truck pierced the sky over Whakatane at night and could be seen for some, miles. One of the officers in the unit, Captain H. Thompson, said that he was very pleased with the response from Whakatane. There had been a large number of inquiries and he had actually signed up a good number. The standard of the recruits had been very high both from the older men and younger men. Although they had not actually signed any girls for the W.A.A.C. there had meen some inquiries here. Captain Thompson said he thought the reason for part of the good response was in the new rates of pay end the improved living conditions. The bedroom furniture now provided in the army was on display in Bridger’s window and attracted more than passing interest,, especially from servicemen, who had been in the army previously.

Attention was attracted to the van by moving pictures, that were kept going during the day on a screen on the window. This week the army will commence recruiting in Rotorua. Captain Thompson was accompanied in the unit by Major S. W. Nicholson, D. 5.0., Bombadier E. Cooke, Trooper G. Seagar, and Private C. Harris.