THE CALL FOR RECRUITS.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 June 1939, Page 6

THE CALL FOR RECRUITS.

TN statements by the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence which appear on another page today, a particular appeal is made to the men of this district to respond to the call for recruits for the Territorial Eorce and other Defence formations. So far as the Territorials are concerned, the Wairarapa units should very soon be at full strength, but thirty-one men are still needed—22 infantrymen in different categories and nine lyotor transport drivers. Alneh larger numbers of men arc needed, also, .in the. several categories of the National Reserve. There should lie no doubt about an adequate and satisfactory response in the Wairarapa and elsewhere to the recruiting campaign now launched. It may be taken for granted that this district wil,l not be content to lag behind others in making its contribution to the entirely justified and very necessary measures that are being taken for the defence of the Dominion should an emergency arise. The fact has to be faced that in the existing slate of world affairs New Zealand may have to rely to a considerable extent on its own resources in withstanding raiding, or even invading forces. There is no other way of meeting the position than by adequate and effective measures of defence preparation. AH who are able to assist in any way in building up the necessary national organisation should be very willing to do so. The call is not made only upon men able and willing to undergo training. A good deal may depend for example, upon the readiness of employers to grant reasonable facilities to members of their staffs who join up with Defence units.