TERRITORIAL UNITS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20025, 25 August 1939, Page 4

TERRITORIAL UNITS

EXTENSION URGED MANY WILLING TO JOIN WAIROA REPRESENT ATI ONS (Special to tlio Herald.) WAIROA, 'this day. Mention of the fact that 'there were many young men in the Wairoa district who were anxious to join up with the territorials, but, unfortunately at present no provision was made for them, was made at the public meeting held to form a Territorial Association (in Wairoa. In. the course of an explanation Captain B. 'Barrington, central military district recruiting officer, Wellington, appealed l to those -present to have a. little patience, as the (Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, was acquainted with the various problems and' w r as endeavouring to provide some scheme whereby these men could obtain training.

The question was raised- by Mr. H. Trewby, following -the moving of a motion that a Territorial Association be formed 1 in Wairoa. He mentioned the fact that Captain Barrington-had said that the public should 1 -not be allowed- to -slip into that state of apathy wbicto had' been ‘’evident in the past, stating that the fact that men had to toe turned down was creating a certain amount of apathy. In view of this he was personally. of the opinion that it was just playing round to form an association to look after the 35 .men -who comprised the Wairoa unit

A Big Lever

The Mayor, Mr. H. L. Harker, who presided, said he agreed with Mr. Tr.ewtoy to a certain- extent, tout at the same time Ihe thought the formation of an association, would toe a big lever in getting more adequate units in Wairoa. It had been suggested that an infantry unit -should 1 be formed in Wairoa, but advice had been received' to -the effect that it was .not possible at present. He thought every effort should be 1 made to get as big a unit as possible in Wairoa.

It was suggested by Mr, L. Cheriton that there should be a proviso to the motion to the effect that an association be formed providing an infantry Unit was established here. He thought that if the attention of tire Minister of Defence were drawn to the position something would be done.

Replying .to these suggestions,'- Captain Barrington, stated that the immediate desire was- to build’ up a territorial force of 16,000 and make them efficient as soon as possible. That -was providing a full-time job for the present staff officers. A scheme might be brought down whereby these other men could be centralised for a course of training. The Minister was acquainted with the various problems and was endeavouring to provide some scheme. Training for Reservists In reply to a question toy Mr. Cheriton, Captain Barrington stated that the 16,600 men were territorials for whom provision and training had been made. It would not be fair to the men or Ithe country if more were signed up and there were 1 no officers to train- them. Mr. Cheriton asked if, in.view of the state of affairs in Europe at present, it would be possible (to give those in Class 1 reserve a -brush up. Captain Barrington said that provision, had -been -made to give these men 36 hours’ training and l the same provision als(o (had been made for Class 2 reservists. -At present they were concentrating on the new recruits, who were going into caimp at Tremtham -at the rate of 200 a week.

The Mayor stated) 'that he thought the explanation a reasonable one. Captain Barrington said he just waniied to ask everyone to exercise a little patience and everything possible would' toe done.