THE CALL FOR MEN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2445, 26 April 1915, Page 6

THE CALL FOR MEN

6000 MEN IN SIX WEEKS

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER

COMPLIMENTS FOR INSTRUCTORS

Tlie new aitillory units to comprise part of the additional force accepted by the Yi'ar Office are alroadv in camp at irentliam, and have commenced their training. All the non-commissioned officers and the majority of the officers for tho new infantry battalions will be in camp by Wednesday next, and it is hoped that all the officers will arrive at irentham within tho next fortnight. Officers and N.C.O.'s will go through the usual preliminary course before the rank and file are called up. "Our previous experience with the reinforcements," said the Minister of Defence referring to these fast, "has shown that this preliminary oourse of training is essential. When the officers and N.C.O.'s have completed their preliminary course of training at the end of May, the other ranks required will be brought into camp, and will undergo the full four-months' course.

"Intending recruits," ha went on to say, "are registering in satisfactory numbers, but a considerable increase in the rate of registration in many districts is still desirable. Four thousand recruits will bo required for the new battalions and for the 7th Reinforcements by tho middle of June. This means—taking into consideration the average number of rejections By the medical officer —that at "least 6000 men must register within tho next six weeks. But this is not the limit. After Juno succeeding drafts will be called up, and the more names registered the better. It would be of groat assistance to tho Defence authorities if men would put down their names, so as to allow sufficient time for their medical examination to be carried out, and that they may jbe ready to come up when required. Particular emphasis should be laid on the importance of men not throwing up their appointments untii they are called lip. ,

| "Any attempt to force the hands of the Defence Department to take me.u before they are required is to be strongly deprecated. Clothing, tents, huts, and equipment in general are limited, and, most important of all, the instructional 6taff is limited, and must be utilised to the best advantage. This can only be done by the men going up m batches at regular stated intervale to go through a definite course. Tha Chief of the General Staff has worked out the course if training for every unit week by week, including leave, and it is necessary that that plan should be carried out. By working on those lines large bodies of men can be efficiently trained by the instructional staff, which would be entirely inadequate'to deal with a similar number coming in .at all times. •

"In addition to this, I would like to make a few remarks about our training 6taff. This is not the only work they have to do. It is our bouhden duty to keep the Territorial Forces up to as high a pitch of proficiency as possible. It is with great pleasure that. I have to report that ox-volunteer officers and N.C.O.'s are coming to our assistance in this respect. It ip also a great pleasure for me to have to report that the training of the Territorials in camp has been most gratifying both to tile staff and to myself. I have recently visited the camps at Levin and Karori. I can only say that the spirit prevailing among the men and the officers is excellent, tlio conduct is exemplary, and the training is all that oue could desire under the circumstances. 1 think'they are doing splendidly."

In reply to a question, Mr. Allen added: "There is nothing in what I have said that is inconsistent with what I have previously 6aid about the progress of recruiting being satisfactory. Recruiting lias been highly satisfactory right up to date, and I have no doubt it will continue to be highly satisfactory. But we are asking for an additional 2500 men in one lot, and we have to keep up reinforcements on these in future as well as tbe reinforcements on the main body.