RECRUITING STARTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 September 1939, Page 4

RECRUITING STARTS

BIG RUSH AT MASTERTON DEFENCE OFFICE SPECIAL MILITARY FORCE. PROCEDURE FOR MEDICAL EXAMINATION. The Masterton Defence Office was the scene of considerable activity this morning when recruiting commenced for the special military force of 6600 officers and men. Before 10 o’clock there were fully 50 recruits waiting to be enrolled. This response is particularly gratifying and indicates, if a similar position obtains in other parts of New Zealand, that the full strength of the special military force will quickly be reached. The recruits will be medically examined at the Municipal Hall on Thursday night. <■ The enrolments up to 11.30 a.m. totalled 54. The medical examination for men offering their services for the special military force was the subject of a statement by the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, in Wellington, last night. If the men who come forward for registration are approved by the recruiting officer, they will-be sent on to medical boards for medical examination. After the medical examination the men' will be told whether they have been passed as fit and in every case instructed that they should return to their normal work. Later they will be advised by postal notice: — (a) If they have been accepted for service. (b) The unit to which they are to be posted. (c) The date and place at which they are to report. At least one week’s notice will be given to each man before being called up. Only men .who have passed their twenty-first and have not passed their thirty-sixth birthday are eligible to enlist in the special military force. For men in other categories to apply will onlv be wasting tne time ot me departmental officers. AIR FORCE CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS. PILOTS, OBSERVERS & GUNNERS • WANTED. (By Telegrapn—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Volunteers to serve as pilots, observers and air-gunners with the Royal Air Force, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force, are being called for. The Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, said yesterday that the men were required for an air-crew section of the Royal Air Force, formed for the duration of the war. Applicants, who must be between the ages of 171 and 28 years, physically fit, and educated up to the standard of the school certificate, will be enlisted for the duration. Their training will be carried out in New Zealand, and they will be granted the rank of leading aircraftsmen and paid at the rate of £l5O a year, plus rations and quarters. If selected for service overseas, they will be granted free passages to the United Kingdom, and their pay will continue till they report for duty with the Royal Air Force. Rank on completion of training will depend on the ability shown while under training and the nature of the men’s duties. Inquiries should be addressed to the Air Department, Wellington. CIVIL RESERVE ENLISTMENT IN SPECIAL FORCE. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press WELLINGTON, This Day. While some small groups of the Civil Reserve of the Royal New Zealand Air Force have already been called up, it would be some time before the bulk of the Civil Reserve members could be absorbed into the Air Force, said the Minister of Defence, ’Mr Jones, last night. Further calls, particularly of technical personnel, would be made in the next few months. “It will be some considerable time before the bulk of the Civil Reserve members can be absorbed into the AitForce,” said the Minister, "but any member who desires to volunteer for service with the special military force is free to do so. He should first ask permission from the Air Department, and will either be released from his obligation to the Air Force or advised that his services in the force will be required in.the immediate future.” FARMERS’ REQUIREMENTS. TRACTOR & OTHER ESSENTIAL WORK. Some farmers may find themselves in difficulties regarding petrol supplies for tractors and other farm work, especially, if, when making application for licences, they have based their requirements on a monthly basis. The quantity authorised cannot be anticipated from month to month nor can <• next month’s supply be drawn in advance or carried over from one month to 'another. This may cause some inconvenience to farmers who want the bulk of their petrol in certain periods of the year for ploughing, harvesting or shearing. According to inquiries made this morning, if any farmer is placed in any difficulty in that respect he should make representations on the matter to the deputy-controller of oil fuel and a special licence would be granted to enable the - applicant to secure the necessary petrol for farm work.