OVERSEAS FORCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24419, 3 October 1940, Page 11

OVERSEAS FORCE

FOURTH REINFORCEMENTS ARTILLERY UNITS LEAVE FURTHER DRAFTS GO TO-DAY The first detachment of men of the Fourth Reinforcements of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force left Dunedin yesterday, when 101 men of the artillery units boarded the 11.35 a.m. express en route for Papakura camp. A large gathering of friends and relatives was present on the platform to bid them good-bye. The conducting officers were Captain Hopper, of the National Reserve, and Sergeant-major Sutton, of the New Zealand Permanent Staff.

This morning al 8.45 the major proportion of men for the Fourth Reinforcement. all infantry, leave for Burnham camp, while at 10.50 a.m. those who will link up with the specialised units at Trentham will entrain. The conducting officers to-day are Captain Ruddy of the National Reserve, who will take the men to Burnham, and Captain Clarke, of the reserve of officers, will go to Trentham with the North Island detachment. Following the announcement of the selection of men under the fifst ballot sittings of the P edical Board will be held at 7 p.m, at the Dental School on Monday. Tuesday, and Thursday of next week, when men handily situated in Dunedin and environs will be examined. Arrangements have yet to be made ior the examination of men in outlying districts, and these will be notified accordingly The registration officer (Captain Berkeley) and his staff al the Kensington Drill Hall were engaged yesterday scrutinising the rolls to eliminate any of the names of men who have already enlisted

Entertaining Territorials

Arrangements have been made tor the entertainment of the territorials of the Ist Battalion, Southland Regiment. and of the 3rd Field Regiment, N.Z.A., now in training at Forbury and Wingatui. The Returned Soldiers Association rooms in Moray place have been handed over for the purpose, including such amenities as the billiard, ing and writing rooms. All will be placed at the convenience of these .wo units during the following hours and days;—Fridays, from C to 11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 11 P-m As a result of support from the Otago Provincial Patriotic Association, the Otago Territorial Association, and the E.S.A. the R.S.A. tearooms will also be open during these periods for the convenience of the men. They will be able to obtain hot tea for sixpence and also afternoon tea and light supper for a nominal sum. Lady members of the above organisations will hem to look after the requirements and comforts ° f Gifts 'of cake and offers of help from ladies willing to assist will be appreciated. The Organising Committee consists of Mr and Mrs F. W Mitchell, Mr and Mrs W. F. Forrester, and Mrs S. M. Park.

New Mounted Squadron

The four troop formations, comprising the 9th Independent (Taieri) Mounted Rifle Squadron, are now m the process of establishment. Those eligible for the squadron are returned soldiers and married men who are ineligible for active service overseas. Ihe four zones have been established, and enrolments are in the hands of the following troop leaders:No. 1 Troop (Waikouaiti-Seaclitr-Waitati Area). —G. Sloan. Goodwood. No. 2.Troop (City-Peninsula Area).— C. Sonntag. Dunedin. No 3 Troop (Taieri Mouth-Green Island-Abbotsford) .—A. Green. Taien M No. h 4 Troop (Taieri Plains-Oulram-Mosgiel).— J. Gow. Rocklands. Satisfactory progress has already been made in the number of applications. and it is noted with pleasure that farmers and others who have horses and who are for obvious reasons unable to give personal service are very willing to give the use of horses and gear. , The four troop leaders mentioned will be pleased to receive applications for enlistments from those within their areas desiring to enrol. Colonel G. R. Mitchell. D. 5.0.. V.D., has been appointed commanding officer.

For Service Anywhere

The conditions under which all territorials at present undergoing training have been enlisted does not seem to be fullv understood by the public Not. only have officers and n.c.o.’s signed up for six months’ training, and men for three months, but thev have also signed up for service in anv part of the British Empire or theatre of war to which they may be assigned Such signing up was purely voluntary and fully understood bv the territorials themselves. They are all medically fit

REMITTANCES FOR TROOPS EXTENDED LIMIT SOUGHT AUSTRALIAN EXAMPLE QUOTED • From Oub Parliamentary Reporter* WELLINGTON, Oct, 2. Provision to enable relatives and friends of New Zealand soldiers serving overseas to send to the troops substantially larger remittances from 'he Dominion than those at present allowed. thus placing New Zealand soldiers on a more favourable comparative basis with Australian troops, was sought in a question of which Mr S. G. Holland (Opposition (Christchurch North) gave notice in the House of Representatives to-day The question was addressed to the Minister of Finance (Mr W Nash) “All remittances to memoers ot tne New Zealand Expeditionary Force overseas are limited to an aggregate of £2O (New Zealand currency) a vear which is less than one shilling a day sterling." Mr Holland said in a note to his question. ‘‘Australian soldiers may receive from Australia up to £IOO sterling every three months, and more if necessary." AN APPRECIATION A correspondent, who is connected with the primary industries, has sent us the following appreciation of Mr R, Jones, a member of our literary staff, who leaves Dunedin this morning to join the Expeditionary Force:— “Men of all sorts are joining the army—old campaigners, young recruits family men, and those without responsibilities from the town and from the country, tall and short, stout and thin. It is inevitable that we who are left behind to carry on the industries of the province receive some shocks at the departure of many who are distinctly part and parcel of the community Generally, the gaps are soon filled. but not always. Thursday’s train takes to camp one whose place will be hard indeed to fill His service has been freely given. The welfare of the province and the people in it was his constant study His job was full of problems, and reauired the full degree of intelligence, energy and human understanding. He has all those talents and used them unsnarinelv to Otago’s benefit. The land and the people on it industry and individuals, all shared his gifts. Good luck to Ron Jones, reporter and iournalist.”