SLOW RECRUITING

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20992, 20 December 1939, Page 6

SLOW RECRUITING

SEVEN IN WEEK FIGURES IN HAMILTON AREA NORTHERN DISTRICT RESPONSE Only seven men enlisted in the No. 4 (Hamilton) military area for service with the Special Force, during last week, the area having the weakest response of any in the Northern Military District. The command as a whole, however, could not muster more than 82 volunteers for the week. As a result of the week’s activities, the number of men in the district available for service in the second echelon is about 900, reservations and medical examinations causing the decrease from last week’s total of about 1000. The Auckland area’s contribution to the week’s recruiting total of 82 was 33, Paeroa being next with 29, then Whangarei with 13 and Hamilton seven. Of the district total of 6487 since recruiting opened for the first echelon, Auckland has provided 2948, Paeroa 1196, Whangarei 909 and Hamilton 1434. COMFORTS FOR SOLDIERS

ON BOARD THE TROOPSHIPS £2OOO BEING PROVIDED For the provision of comforts on the troopships and at the European base for the men of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, £2OOO is being provided by the 11 provincial districts. The contribution of the Auckland Province has been tentatively fixed at £670. The Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council nas expressed its willingness to find this contribution for the benefit of the men of the first echelon, and the request has been made that the donation from the Auckland Province should be expended on such comforts and amenities as fruit, preserves, confectionery, cigarettes, sports equipment and gear for indoor pastimes.