ABOUT 100 SHORT

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20991, 19 December 1939, Page 6

ABOUT 100 SHORT

SECOND ECHELON MEN

RECRUITS IN HAMILTON AREA DETAILS OF MEDICAL TESTS In the time that remains before the second echelon of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary force goes into strict training, the No. 4 (Hamilton) area must find at least 100 more volunteers who are fit for active service. Unless the rate of recruiting increases, it appears almost certain that the district will fail to provide its quota of 443 for the second echelon. Sufficient men have volunteered, but the large number of recruits engaged in reserved occupations and the percentage that failed to pass the rigid medical examination have drastically reduced the number. The Waikato district probably has a greater percentage of men on re- j served occupations than many of the districts. Therefore, the fact that , the quota may not be filled is not altogether an indication of a poor response to recruiting. Another factor to be considered is that the district’s quota is somewhat greater this time than for the first echelon. 1434 Join the Colours To date the number of recruits in the No. 4 area rolls is 1434. Others have joined up in this district but have subsequently been transferred to other districts. Of the recruits who have volunteered, 971 have been medically and dentally examined; but that number includes a large number of the men engaged on essential industries who are, therefore, classified on the reserved occupations list. Of the 971 examined, 693 have been classed as medically and dentally fit for active service in any part of the world, 163 are temporarily unfit, and 110 have been classed as permanently unfit. All the above figures included officers, non-commis-sioned officers, and men of the ranks. 429 Ready For Overseas Up till this week 429 men from the No. 4 area have been despatched to camps throughout New Zealand. Exclusive of the reserved occupations and the men not fit for service, the area has at the moment 110 men who would be available immediately for despatch to camp. Of the quota of 443, 50 men have already entered camp with the noncommissioned officers group for the second echelon. There are 110 men available for camp at the moment, and it is expected that a large proportion of the men classed as temporarily unfit will soon be fit for active service as dental defects, which can be remedied, have been the cause of nearly all the rejections. Allowing for 100 men from that class, another 190 would still have to be found. There are about 400 men still to be examined, but many of that number will be engaged in reserved occupations or will be found to be unfit. In addition many are married men, a class which is not being called up in the meantime unless vitally necessary.

The district should come within 100 men for its quota, although it is difficult at the moment to give an accurate indication, as the number fluctuates from week to week. The Hamilton area is certainly in a more favourable position than many of the districts in New Zealand, where numbers are well below the requirements in some instances.