SERVICE CALL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20122, 16 December 1939, Page 4

SERVICE CALL

MEN WANTED FUTURE ECHELONS MINISTER'S REMINDER COMMON SAFETY DEFENCE OF EMPIRE (Per Tress Association.) WEL/LINGTON, tips day. An appeal for recruits to bring the Second Echelon of the Special Military Force up to the full strength and provide the nucleus for a Third Echelon was made by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. E. Jones, in a statement last night. Enlistments will be on the same conditions as those for the First Echelon. “The First Echelon has completed the preliminary training,’’ said Mr. Jones, “and will shortly leave for advanced training overseas. The mobilisation camps will then be available for training of the Second Echelon. “Numbers of men who have already enlisted and have been passed as medically fit are waiting to enter camp with the .Second Echelon, but more are required to make up the full strength and provide a nucleus for the Third Echelon. Soon as Possible “Those prepared to offer their services should do so as soon as possible. Officers for the Second Echelon have been training since November 8. Non-commissioned officers are also in training. Their number will be supplemented from later enlistments. “Some who volunteered for the First Echelon were rejected on account of minor dental defects. There will be no further rejections on this ground, as all such troubles will be rectified by the army dental officers in camp. “On the day recruiting opened for the First Echelon the volunteers exceeded the total number required. The volunteers for the Second Echelon may have difficulty in beating this record, but they can equal it. “Service with the forces involves sacrifice, but the Government has always believed the necessary sacrifice would be made when the need was known. Honoured by Nation “The men on final leave have obeyed the call of duty and the country honours them. I am confident that their fellow men will not falter now in the national effort to maintain and guarantee the safety of New Zealand and the British commonwealth. “I have arranged for a continuation of the central recruiting committee and the following officers will carry out a campaign with myself as chairman: Colonel O. H. Mead, D. 5.0., the adjutant-general; Mr. F. B. Dwyer, of Army headquarters; Major R’. E. Murray, Army publicity officer; Major E. H. Whiting, of the Central Military District; and Mr. J. T. Paul, director of publicity. “I cordially welcome the assistance of the territorial associations, local bodies and representatives of other organisations and citizens generally to ensure the success of this appeal.”