VOLUNTEER TO SERVE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1032, 24 July 1930, Page 18

VOLUNTEER TO SERVE

FIRST BATTERY AND END OF COMPULSION MEN PREPARED TO TRAIN To keep alive the traditions handed down by the old A Battery, in spite of the Government’s intention to discontinue compulsory training, an enthusiastic meeting of officers and men of the First Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery, at the Narrow Neck barracks lasts evening, agreed to continue service in a volunteer capacity. Lieutenant R. J. Turnbull, 0.C., introduced the commander of the First Field Brigade, Major W. F. Stilwell, who gave a short address. An outline of the present situation in the system of defence in New Zealand was given by Lieutenant Turnbull, and he described the work which would be done should the men wish to continue training. Every officer, and almost every man, was ready to "carry on” at a moment’s notice, and a number of others, who had not been able to attend the meeting, had sent in their names to show their willingness to support their unit. There was an immense amount of enthusiasm among territorials at the present time, Lieutenant Turnbull continued. It was the esprit de corps among these men which would keep the system alive during the next 12 months. The work proposed by the battery actually would be much more interesting than in the past, as the officers would probably have more opportunities to give the men work they wanted to do. In the future, the unit would be put through a course in each department of artillery work, and in the event of a brigade camp, the men could be drawn to make up any deficiencies resulting from a small number in the camp. Great keenness was shown by those at the meeting, and all the officers and practically all the men present were prepared to proceed with their training immediately. The names of others willing to remain with the unit during the critical period were recorded.

ONEHUNGA’S DECISION FORTY-EIGHT VOLUNTEER Forty-eight men and all the officers except one will carry on the work of the 21st Field Battery at Onehunga. There was a good attendance of trainees at a meeting held at Onehunga last evening and 38 names were handed m as soon as the address concluded. During the morning ten other men decided to remain with the battery as volunteers. There were 75 trainees under the old system.