CALL TO ARMS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20906, 11 September 1939, Page 6

CALL TO ARMS

ENLISTMENT OF MEN PLANS FOR TO-MORROW ARRANGEMENTS IN HAMILTON MEDICAL EXAMINATION LATER When the history of New Zealand's part in the war is chronicled, tomorrow September 12 will be marked a. a day of major Importance. It Is the start of the registration of men willing to answer the call to arms for service within or beyond New Zealand. The special military force will comprise 6600 men at the outset and Hamilton is expected to provide a considerable share of that amount. For that purpose special arrangements have been made for registration in this town. M*n who Intend enlisting wIU attend at the Drill Hail, In Knox Street, which will be open from 8 a.m. with a special staff to cope with the work. Men should net Inquire at ths Army Offlc* rsgarding enlistment. Those willing to offer their service* for the cause for which the country has deemed it right and honourable to engage in hostilities will be required to till in certain forms and furnish particulars regarding themselves and Iheir dependents. Looatlon of Booths At the outset the procedure at the Drill Hall will he one of registration only. Men will he notillcd later, probably next week, of the date aad time they will have to attend at the Army office for medical examination. Special enlistment booths have beeu established in every army area. This district comprises area four, exleuding from Mercer in the north to Owhanga, Just south of Taumarunui, in the south. The only army offices in this area are at Hamilton and Te Kuill. Those towns will carry out the registration, but special arrangements have been made for the convenience of men In other towns who desire to register but who cannot contact the special enlistment booths. Arrangements In Other Town* Registration form* will be available at tha peat ofllaaa In tha main towns outside of Hamilton and Ta Kultl but not at tha peat efflesa In those two centres. The volunteer will fill In tbs form at the post office in his own tow'n and it will be forwarded by the Post and Telegraph Department to the Army Department and the volunteer will receive receipt of the offer of his services from the army office in due course. The Waikato embraces other army areas also and the army offices in the district at which enrolment can be made are at Morrinsvllle, Tsuranga. Hotorua, Paeroa and Waihi. In llie meantime the men required are to be between the ages of 21 and 35. Tlie special force will consist of one infantry brigade and also divisional troops so that a wide range of service is provided for. Special camp* at Ngaruawahia and Papakura have been organised to train these men for at least three months. Order of Preference Announcing the call for service on Friday, the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, said preference would be given to single men not engaged In essential Industries in the following order: ' Serving members of the Territorial Force. Members of the Infantry section of the special reserve. Members of Class 1 of the Natloual Military Reserve—(that is, men who have undergone not less than two years’ territorial training,. Other single men with or without military training. Enlistment will be for the duration of the war and 12 monihs thereafter, or until lawfully discharged. The IW-st step to be taken In connection with the establishment of the special force will be the enlistment of 6600 officers, non-commissioned officers and men.