CITY'S DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 282, 27 November 1940, Page 8

CITY'S DEFENCE.

LAUNCH HOME GUARD.

APPEAL FOR UNITED EFFORT.

The. Mayor said to-day that there should be a united response from all nven capable of giving service, to establish and maintain a strong Home Guard force for the defcnce of the city. A highly commendable scheme of reservist training had lx>en drawn up, but there were other tields of defence beyond those covered by tlie Territorials and the members of class 2 of the National .Military Reserve.

'"There are many male citizens who, for various reasons, are ineligible for the lighting services," continued Sir Ernest. "There are those debarred by ape, cither over or under thft limit; those who, although rejected for active service overseas, could undertake duties of a home defend character; and married men with one or more children or other family responsibilities for whom no previously devised scheme has provided a suitable form of training. I would appeal particularly to this last-

mentioned class to rally round the Home Guard, because in it they will find the opportunity they have long been awaiting to play their part in the defence of their own homes. There is anothe.r category to whom the Home Guard must carry an irresistible appeal. I refer to the youths between 16 and 18 years who, 'by enrolment, will undergo training which will thoroughly e-quip them for the responsibilities which are ahead of them. "In general, though, the outlook is so grave that 1 would personally ask every male citizen who is ineligible for overseas service or with the Territorial and National Military Reserve forces, to enrol for service with the Home Guard. Shortly put, the Home Guard is open to all males who are not part of the fighting forces." Ail opportunity for enroline.nt will be provided at to-night's meeting.