TERRITORIAL CAMP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 February 1940, Page 6

TERRITORIAL CAMP

— APPEAL TO EMPLOYERS LEAVE FOR MEN.. MANY MASTERTON TRAINEES UNABLE TO GO. “I appeal to employers for their support and encouragement, so that Territorials wishing to go into camp at Waiouru for training may do so,” said Mr T. Jordan. Mayor, and chairman of the-Territorial Association, this morning, following receipt of a letter from Lieut.-Col-onel J. 1-1. Irving, officer command-

ing the Hawke’s Bay Regiment, relating to the matter. "Under the present circumstances," said the Mayor, "the least anyone can do is to facilitate the training of these men. Everyone has to make some little sacrifice these days and it is up to the. employers, if it is at all possible, te.

allow .men wanting leave to go into camp. At. present Masterton men arc going to camp 39 short of their actual strength, on account of leave not being forthcoming and I appeal to these employers io do everything they can to allow these men to proceed to camp, as it is most desirable that the Territorials should be efficiently trained in these days of emergency.” He added that the Territorial Association would take up the matter and would personally interview employers with a view to securing leave. Mr Jordan also appealed for recruits to bring up the strength of the local Territorial units and to establish a waiting list. Lieut.-Colonel Irving's letter to Mr Jordan reads as follows: "Some foui' months ago you were instrumental in the formation of a local association, the principal object being to assist the units in this regimental district. As the Commanding Officer of the Hawke’s Bay Regiment I now have occasion to appeal to you for the assistance which you have so kindly offered, feeling certain that under the circumstances it will be forthcoming. There are two ways in which you can help at present: (1) To see that the battalion's annual camp training at. Waiouru. March 2/9. is not hampered through lack of numbers brought about by the action of some employers in not granting the necessary leave. Notices of camp dates have been handed to them and a number of trainees are advised that they cannot be spared for the week. There are, of course, some men who do not. ask because of almost certain refusal. (2) To make an appeal for recruits to join up now to bring the unit up to strength and also to establish a waiting list. We want men of 20 years and over for preference but will lake them at 18 and 19.

The drain, on our manpower in this district has been heavy both for the Special Force and also for fortress duties and I fully realise the difficulties of employers but 1 would like it pointed out to them that the annual camp training and maintainance of the Territorial Force is very important, not only for training in the defence of New Zealand but also for the future supply of officers, N.C.O.’s and men of the reinforcements. In Australia training for home defence is compulsory and every young man between 19 and. 21 has to do two months. This must cause considerable more disorganisation to industry and inconvenience to employers. The strength of the battalion is down from approximately 680 to 520 and becoming less daily and from reports from other sub-areas it appears as though only about 300 will attend camp unless a special effort is made. The Wellington and Wellington-West Coast battalions’are in Waiouru this week with very poor about 250 each, exclusive of bands. This is most unsatisfactory and does not make it possible to carry'out battalion training.

Recruiting for the Territorial force has rather been lost sight of lately. One reason why no appeal has been made was that we did not have the spare uniforms available but I am glad to say the position is better now. I am convinced that an appeal in the main towns by the association supported by the Press and the branches of the R.S.A. will be of great help in this important national, work. Masterton has hlways responded to any appeal made for the Forces and I look forward to its support on this occasion." Lieut.-Colonel Irving said this morning that if there were any men wishing to join the Territorials either tonight or tomorrow they could be equipped on Thursday and would be able to go to camp if they were free to do so. The position was that 98 men should go into camp from Masterton but only 59 had so far notified that they were able to go.