Preparing For Compulsory Military Training

Chronicle (Levin), 31 December 1949, Page 2

Preparing For Compulsory Military Training

AUCKLAND, Dec. 30. The Auckland office of the Depart mcnt of Labour and Employment is ready to begin the registration next month of lS-year-old youths required for service in the armed forees undei the Military Training Act. The office will handle all registrations in the Auckland district of the Department— The area extending from Te Hana in the north to Mercer. It is festimated that 3000 youths will be registered in the lirst ycar. Colonel T. H. Pettit, M.C., Assistant Director of Medical Services, Northeru Military District will retire from the ariny on Saturday after nearly nine years on the active list. Ile will take up the first appointmeut of regional medical officer for the Auckland district of the Department of Labour and Employment and will be responsible for the medical boarding of youths registered for service under the Military Training Act. Although the medical boards at Auckland will cbnsist of doctors on the active and reserve lists of the Navy, Army and Air Porce, Dr. Pettit 's appointmeut will ensure full control of youth by the Department until they become availabie to the services. A Wellington message says Mr Harold Corkill has been appointed Wellington regional medical officer for the Department of Labour and Employment to organise and supervise the medical boarding of youth registering under the Military Training Act. Mr Corkill is Iionorary surgeon to the Uovcrnor-Gen-eral and during the vvar was Director of the Naval Medical Service at Auckland with the rank of Surgeon Conmiander. He is also the port health officer at Wellington. Other regional6 apopintments announced today by the Department are: Auckland, Colonel, T. H. Pettit; Whangarei, Dr.' J. G. Campbell; Hamilton, Dr. G. W. Gower; Tauranga, Mr'D. W. Wylie; Waverley, Dr. P. V. Graves; Palmerston North, Dr. J. B. W. Dunlop; Napier, Dr. A. C. Biggs; Nelson, Dr. J. P. S. Jamieson; Westport, Dr. D. E. Symes; Christchurch, Dr. C. T. II. Newton; Dunedin, Dr. J. Pulton; Invercargill, Dr. D. Pottinger.