OVERSEAS FORCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24227, 20 February 1940, Page 10

OVERSEAS FORCE

THE THIRD ECHELON OTAGO ENLISTMENTS FOURTEEN RECRUITS YESTERDAY Fourteen registrations, four of which were not available for publication, were received at the Drill Hall yesterday from recruits for the third echelon of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The names available are as follows; — Group 2 Single Men Christopher Alexander McDowell. James Forrester Watson; Andrew Watt. lan Graham Ryburn. John David Lunam. Stewart John Kitto. James McKenzie Chandler. Nbrman Wood, . Charles Leonard Kerr. Group 4 Married Men With Children Norman Smith.

men on the land who were anxious to serve their country, and a system of training was suggested to meet emergencies which might arise later in the war. The chairman (Mr R. C. Clark) said many people knew that agricultural workers were enlisting and being accepted because they did not give information which revealed that they were engaged on farms* It had been said by some that the percentage of farm labourers enlisting was-greater than the number from the more sheltered branches of life. Colonel Adams said he doubted if the council had a right to say that these men should not enlist. It was a voluntary procedure, and if they chose to go then all power to them. The question was whether they were kev men who could not be replaced. “I am not prepared to say that farm labourers should be reserved.” commented Mr A. Best. “These people must live their own lives. I would certainly, not recall any of mv men who have enlisted.” The placement officer (Mr J. R. Elsbury) explained that when a farrti labourer sought to enlist he made inquiries from his employer as to what could be done in the matter of releasing the man. When a recruit was a farmer on his own account he was asked what arrangements had been made to enable his farm to 'be carried on in his absence. The replies to these questions were forwarded to the authorities in Wellington and they decided on the appropriate action

Mr Elsbury said there were plenty cf men who could be trained as farm workers, but they were not willing to lake up the task. The number of men on No. 12 scheme in the city would, after training, be ample to meet the needs of both the Auckland and Waikato districts if accommodation were available.

It was decided to ask the National Council of Primary Production to clarifv the position concerning the enlistment of agricultural workers. No specific action was taken to further the training scheme, the opinion being expressed that it was in the category of a national Question.

X-RAY OF TROOPS

FEW TUBERCULOSIS CASES

START WITH BLOOD TESTS

(Special to Daily Times)

AUCKLAND, Feb. 19

A thorough examination of all members of the second echelon of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force is being made with X-ray plants which have been installed in the mobilisation esmos. The same procedure will be adopted with the third echelon and later drafts The chief purpose is to make absolutely sure that men are not sent overseas with tuberculosis

Rapid' progress with this work has been made at Papkkura' The examinations were begun towards thf end of last month and since then between 140 and , 200 men have been X-rayed every day As a result the work with the second echelon is nearing completion • First Time in New Zealand This is the first time in New Zealand’s history that all men in units leaving for overseas service have been X-rayed. The first echelon left before the work could be undertaken on a large scale and only officers were given inch examinations. Figures showing how many of the men in camp have to be returned to their homes after X-ray are not yet available. It is stated, however that the medical boards who examine the men after registration are so thorough in their work that remarkably few men are later found to show cast or present tuberculosis. When the camp medical officers are doubtful about any man he is sent on to a special medical board in the city. The X-ray plates taken and developcd at Papakura are looked at. the camp radiologist’s report received, and then the man himself is further examined by the special board. He may be sent back to camp, completely rejected. or passed as fit for home service only. He may also be deferred for thred months and then examined again. As a result ot these precautions, the authorities are confident that all men finally despatched overseas are capable of standing up to the rigours of active service. The saving in man-

AGRICULTURAL WORKERS

RULES COVERING ENLISTMENT NEED FOR CLARIFICATION (Special to Dailv Times) ■ AUCKLAND. Febi 19. The need for a clarification of the rules governing the enlistment for active service of farm labourers was emphasised to-day at a meeting of the Auckland District Council of Primary Production. Several members considered that there should be no bar to