RESERVE BATTALION

Evening Star, Issue 23678, 11 September 1940, Page 3

RESERVE BATTALION

ADMISSION OF CLASS 111. MEN MAY BE EFFECTIVE AFTER SEPTEMBER 20 RECOMMENDATION BY R.S.A. COMMITTEE Class HI. men may he admitted to the 4th Battalion (Dunedin) of the National Reserve after September 20 it the Army Department acts upon the recommendation passed last night on the subject by the Executive Committee of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. A letter from the area officer (Major J. G. Jeffery) requested that the executive should express an opinion upon the subject of admitting these men, and it was decided to advise the Army authorities that they should take such action as they thought .fit, after September 20, to bring the unit to full strength. Although the Dunedin National Reserve Battalion had reached 400 strong at‘August 30 the full establishment was 770. and in view of the slowing up in recruiting it appeared that it would not be possible to bring the unit to full strength by recruiting from returned soldiers’ ranks only, advised Major Jeffery, .It was desired by the Army Department that the Returned Soldiers’ Association should advise if it was agreed that, in view of the fact that returned men had had ample opportunity to enlist, enlisting should bo made available to class 111. men. “ It is not this executive’s prerogative to state whether class 111. men should be admitted; it is entirely a matter for the Army Department,” said the chairman (Mr W. K. Cameron). “ I don’t see that the onus should bo on ns to make this decision.” That the area office! should be written to suggesting that, as there had been sufficient chance to enlist in the battalion for ex-servicemen class Ilf. men should be accepted as long as the former were still acceptable until the unit was full, was the suggestion of Mr J. M. White.

Mr G. H. Ferens: There is a big list of class 111. men waiting to enlist. “ The Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association executive, realising that a very reasonable opportunity has been afforded ex-servicemen to enlist in the 4th Battalion, recognises that the military authorities must now take such steps as they deem fit to bring up the battalion to full strength. It would ask, however, that such action should be postponed until September 20, so that intimation might bo put before ex-servicemen.” was the motion put forward by Mr D. S. Chisholm and adopted.