FLOW OF RECRUITS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 February 1940, Page 4

FLOW OF RECRUITS

EAST COAST DISTRICT LEADS DOMINION ECHELONS AND MAORI BATTALION. SHORTAGES IN OTHER AREAS FILLED. “This area was the first in New Zealand to fill its quota for the Second Echelon of the N.Z.E.E., in addition to providing- a large number of additional men to till t lie shortage in (piiifas from other areas, ” 'slated ('aplain ('. J. Williams, of Napier, No. 7 ( Wairarapa-Hawke’s BayGisborne) Area Officer in a statement yesterday. The quota for the Third Echelon is more than full, but additional enlistments are still being taken, he added. Captain Williams stated that in his opinion the response had been magnificent. The response to appeals for recruits for the Maori Battalion and Home Service units was also most gratifying. The enlistment rate -was still being maintained at a high level, and a large proportion of the men had been medically examined and passed as fit. The main recruiting centres in the area were Masterton. Napier, Hastings, Dannevirke and Gisborne. The following table sets out the recruiting position for the No. 7 area, being registrations up to the week ending February 24:— N.Z.E.F. Registrations 2615 Number fit 1769 Temporarily until 82 Permanently unfit 410 To be examined 354 Reserved occupation 197 Despatched to camp 1079 Balance available (Third Echelon) 493 MAORI BATTALION. Registrations 703 Number fit 329 Temporarily unfit 60 Permanently unfit 101 To be examined 113 Reserved occupation 38 Despatched to camp 250 Balance available (Third Echelon) 91 Home Service: 108 (Fort Dorset and elsewhere).