AUCKLAND CONCERN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20107, 29 November 1939, Page 4

AUCKLAND CONCERN

SECOND ECHELON DRAFT NOT ENOUGH VOLUNTEERS Concern is being expressed in Auckland regarding the forthcoming call for second echelon men, there being available now only about half the number likely to be called for when the draft is being filled. The experience in Auckland has been the same as in other districts in respect of the drying up of the flow of volunteers immediately after the filling of the main body draft. It was considered that once there was an assurance that the Expeditionary Force would be sent overseas, there would be a renewal of the early rush for service; but so far the announcement made by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, last Friday has not yielded any definite results in this direction.

The Auckland Herald reports that in the Auckland, Paeroa, Whangarei and Hamilton areas, comprising the northern military district, there are now 837 men on the list of recruits. Many of these have yet to pass medical boards, however, and it is assumed that there will be a substantial reduction in the number of men actually available for training. Of the 831, there are Cl married men without children, and 223 with one or more children, included in the list.

The position is better understood when it i,s remembered that the First Echelon absorbed 2432 men from the northern military district, 1338 men being taken from Auckland, 351 from Paeroa, 364 from Whangarei and 379 from Hamilton.