500 Men Register

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20907, 12 September 1939, Page 8

500 Men Register

SPECIAL RECRUITS 300 ENROLLED TO-DAY OTHER NAMES TAKEN LAST WEEK QUEUE FORMED THIS MORNINO Scene* remlnlecent ef 1814 were witnessed In Hamilton today when recruiting for a special force of 6600 men willing to eorvo in New Zealand or ovoraoaa for the duration of tho war was opened. Up till two o’olock this afternoon 300 men had enrolled. Throughout the day the Drill Hall in Knox Street presented an unusual scene of activity. Tha Army Office staff had a parti ou•arly busy time, especially early In the morning when most of tho applicants cam# forward. When the doors of the recruiting booth opened at nine o’clock about 60 men were assembled outside. Many of those who enrolled today were too young to remember New Zealand'# effort in the Great War, and others were born during or just after hostilities. To the older volunteers the response appeared to be as ready as it was 25 years ago and indicated that present-day youth was keen to retain that spirit and determination which made the name of Anzac famous throughout the world. No doubt the thoughts of these older men flashed back a quarter of a century to the days when they saw their fathers and brothers offering their services in the cause of freedom. Typical Manhood According to one of the registration officers the young men Jo-ining up were typical of New Zealand man- 4 hood, and most of them as fine specimens as those who' volunteered during the early days of the Great War. The recruits were drawn from all walks of life. Tha total number at present registered In Hamilton for the new force Is about 800, tho names of 200 men having been taken before the week-end. OTHER WAIKATO CENTRES 53 AT MORRIMSVILLE GOOD TYPE OFFERING A ready response to the Government's appeal for recruits was made in Morrinsviile to-day. Up till noon 53 volunteers had been registered. The men were stated by the enrolling authorities to be of a good type and to embrace a wide section of the community. There were also several offers from men outside the age limits set, and several married men attended to see when and if they would be required. At Cambridge 10 registrations had been received by two o’clock, but it was explained that many Cambridge residents had gone to Hamilton to enrol. The response at Te Awamutu was very satisfactory, 40 names being received before the supply of forms ran out. e IN OTHER CENTRES ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION BIG QUEUES AT 9 A.M. Progress results of the recruiting of the special force, received by Prese Association from other centres are aa follows: Auckland.—More than 1000 men, a sprinkling being territorials in khaki, formed a queue outside the drill hall this morning. There were men of all types within the age limit, 21 to 35, some in sports attire, artisans in overalls, Maoris in smart suits, others in woolly lumber jackets, clerks in welltailored clothes. Some of those offering were over age or too young, and were turned hack by the sergeant. Enlistments at mid-day, 1200. The men are not strikingly tall, but are of a very satisfactory stocky type. Wellington. Splendid response. Hundreds of men offering, and registration going ahead at high speed. An officer describes the men as of firstrate type, representing every section. Medical examination begins tomorrow, with a schedule to deal with some 500 men daily. Dunedin: About 100 present at 9 o'clock, and the flow sustained throughout the morning, many serving territorials lining up. Christchurch: At noon 301 enrolments. At 9 o'clock a queue of more than 100, and young men were waiting throughout the morning. Enrolments were put through at an average rate of 100 an hour. Palmerston North.—Enlistments before noon numbered 120. New Plymouth: Up till noon, 120 enrolments. Hawera: 60 up till noon. Stratford; 4o up till noon. Dargavltle: 45 enrolments by 11.30 a.m. No difficulty expected in securing the Northern VYairoa district quota of 70. Masterton:Enthusiastic response; 54 names handed in this morning.