GOOD RESPONSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 May 1939, Page 7

GOOD RESPONSE

TO THE PRIME MINISTER’S DEFENCE CALL STATEMENT BY GENERAL DUIGAN. SOME DETAILS OF TRAINING PROGRAMME. Further details of the Government’s defence programme were outlined by the Chief of the General Staff. .Major-Gen-eral J. E. Duigan, in a statement to the Press yesterday, lie said that the recent com- • prehensive statement by the Prime Minister, Mi’ Savage, had been a splendid tonic to the arhiy in New Zealand. The response to Mr Savage’s appeal during the last two or three days had been widespread and satisfactory.

Major-General Duigan asked every young man in New Zealand who had not yet made up his mind to join the territorial force to remember the freedom, the military and social benefits he enjoyed as a young citizen of the Dominion within the shelter of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and said he felt they would agree that personal service to the community in the form of training now for its defence was the best return they could make for the good things they received.

FOUR CATEGORIES. In the course 'of his statement, Major-General Duigan said: — “We are calling for recruits for four different jobs. “The regular force requires urgently 100 unmarried men between the ages of 20 and 25 who are prepared to serve for five years with a view to remaining in the army as a profession. They must be not less than sft Bin in height and able to pass a rigorous medical examination—for the main reason that the regular soldier must be fit for service in any part of the world. The mental and moral standards laid down are equally high, and, I am sure, there arc many young men of the right type in New Zealand who are keen on soldiering and who will offer their services as regular soldiers if they know an opportunity is available. “Our second appeal is for 6000 more territorials, i.e., men between the ages of 18 and 32, preferably over 20. As Mr Savage announced, the Territorial Force -is being expanded immediately to a peace strength of 16,000. i “Apart from increases in all technical units —artillery and so on —the most, important increase will take place in the nine country battalions and the mounted rifle regiments. All these units are building up to their old regimental strength. During the last three years they have maintained their regimental traditions and their regimental spirit, which is based so largely on the keen public spirit of the provinces from which they are drawn. "I appeal to the young men outside the main cities who are fit enough physically to come forward and fill the ranks of their own provincial regiments. It is the greatest service they can offer—to prepare for the home defence of New Zealand and the protection of their own folks by joining the territorial force. Every man. who volunteers as a territorial now and trains now is doing more to ‘build a nation’ than any All Black.” APPEAL TO YOUNG WOMEN. Major-General Duigan appealed to young women to encourage their bro (hers, or better still their sweethearts, to join up. .« He went on to state that 250 men between the ages of 18 and 30 were wanted to go into training for five months in artillery and infantry units responsible for the defence of the main ports. These, men underwent both military and vocational training in various trades. .In addition to the above three special categories, the Prime -Minister had appealed for further men between the ages of 20 and 55 who were prepared to serve in some military capacity according to age and qualifications for home defence in New Zealand in an ernergency. The service here in question was definitely for home defence and home defence only. “The national military reserve,” Major-General Duigan stated, “is divided into three classes: — "Class 1: Men 20 to 35 years of age who have served during peace time for two years or more in the territorial force or in any’of the military force* of the Empire. When an emergency arises, men who offer their services in class 1 will undertake the duty of build ing up the territorial force to its full strength. “Class 2: Consists of returned soldier: and ex-regulars between the ages o! 35 and 55. In an emergency these men will act as a second line of defence tc the territorial force by providing cer tain reserve units for the defence o< ports, including anti-aircraft defence against low-flying attack. They wiP also provide guards at vital points, and what is very important, those with special qualifications as instructors etc. will fill administrative and train ing appointments on mobilisation. Class" 3: Is limited to men between the ages of 33 and 55 who are no eligible for classes 1 and 2. They will form a reserve of volunteers for gen eral duty in support of the other force: and to form various units such as construction companies, etc. Those witl special qualifications, such as mechan ics, electricians, etc. would be invalu able to complete the technical unit: which are so essential in the moderr army.

“There is no limit whatever to the number of men who wish to offer theii services in the national military reserve. Their offer involves an honourable undertaking to serve if the neec ever arises. Their allotment of dutj will, or course, be based on their qual ifications, their dependants, their pre vious military service and their trad< or other specialist training.”