HOME DEFENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 15, 28 October 1938, Page 6

HOME DEFENCE.

FORMATION of a reserve. ENROLMENT OF RETURNED MEN. (Per Press Association A WELLINGTON' This Day. The formation of a national military reserve of 1000 returned soldiers for home defence only in the event of an emergency, is being undertaken by the Defence authorities. Circulars inviting the "enrolment of men from 40 to -50 years of age are being sent to members of the Returned Soldiers’ Association by the headquarters of the Association. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) stated that the idea, was a nominal register of certain people who would be available for guard duty and similar classes of work should their services be required.

Mr Jones added that offers of assistance in various capacities had been received from a number of returned soldiers, and it was thought their services could be availed of in an emergency to perform duties that were important but perhaps not so strenuous as others that might have to be performed under the circumstances. Enrolment in the reserve, said the Minister, would not entail service overseas, and no training was involved. A somewhat similar reserve was formed some time ago for the Air Force. The secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ Association stated that some 30,000 copies of the circular were being sent to returned men.