FIGHTING SERVICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 June 1940, Page 7

FIGHTING SERVICE

DECISIONS OF THE WAR COUNCIL VOLUNTARY ENLISTMENT TO CEASE. EXCEPT FOR AIR FORCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Kecouiiiieiidations made by Hie War Cmineil at its first meeting' and approved by ('ai)inet include decisions to bring the Territorial Force up to wai- establishment, to compile a register .of all single men between the ages of 19 and 45 years, inclusive, and that in (lie event of it being found necessary to draw men from the register for service in the armed forces such selection should be restricted to single men.

The system of voluntary enlistment for service for home defence and overseas is to cease on July 22, except for men for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. z An order will be made today by the Minister of National Service. Mi Semple, dividing the general reserve constituted under the National Service Emergency Regulations, into the various classes recommended by the Wat Council and approved by Cabinet. REGISTER & BALLOT. The preparation of a register of al; single men between 19 and 45. inclusive. has already been put in hand, and a large staff is working day and nigh with the object of completing the register as soon as possible, so that a ballot can be taken immediately further men are required for the armed forces.

Service overseas will be from the 21 to 41 age group but single men between 19 and 46 may be drawn foi home service. The War Council held its first meeting on Friday, and at the conclusion of business in the evening agreed on certain recommendations to Cabinet covering the recruiting of manpower for the armed services. On Saturday morning a meeting of Cabinet was held and approved the recommendations of the War Council, which are as follows:—

1. That a register be compiled of all single male persons who have attained the age of nineteen years, but who have not attained the age of forty-six years. 2. That in the event of it being found necessary to draw men from the register for service in the armed forces such selection be restricted to single men.

3. That the Territorial Force be brought up to war establishment. 4. That the standard of medical examination for Territorial service be substantially the same as that required for men serving with the Second N.Z.E.F.

5. That the system of voluntary enlistment for service for home defence and overseas cease definitely on July 22, 1940, with the exception of men for the R.N.Z.A.F. RESERVE FOR AIR FORCE. 6. That voluntary enlistment for the R.N.Z.A.F. shall be limited to a number sufficient to create a reserve to be determined later. (No volunteers are required for service with the,New Zealand Naval Forces, as all requirements will be met from volunteers under a scheme closing on June 29, 1940.) 7. That on and from Monday, June 24., 1940. all enlistments for service will be for universal service, i.e.. any section of the armed forces, including service in New Zealand or overseas. 8. Only men who have attained the age of 21 years and who have not attained the age of 41 years will be drawn for service overseas, and that any ballot for overseas service shall include men who are serving in the Territorial Force or in home defence. SERVICE IN DOMINION. 9. Men who have attained the age of. 19 years and who have not attained the age of 46 will be selected to serve within New Zealand. 10. That all men who volunteer up till July 22, 1940. will be accepted on the voluntary basis, if eligible, and that men should not be balloted for till such time as the reserve of volunteers is exhausted.