THE HOME GUARD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 3, 15 October 1940, Page 6

THE HOME GUARD

ENROLMENTS IN COUNTY.

LOCAL COMMANDER APPOINTED. SEVERAL RESIDENTS SWORN IN. In the Great War, 1914-18, Great Britain appointed special constables and other officials to carry out various duties oil the home front, but the formation of Britain’s Home Guard is something quite new and fulfils a task of the greatest possible value. It numbers hundreds of thousands of men, and also women. The Home Guard lias been featured frequently in the cable news and is a body that has caught the imagihation of the people of New Zealand.

Although New Zealand is so far from the scene of activity, the Government believes that the Dominion, too, should have a Guard, to take, charge of any unprecedented situation, and Ashburton, small though it is, has not been slow to play its part.

The first of a series of meetings organised by the Ashburton County Council for. the purpose of setting up committees to control the Home Guard movement, was held at Eiffelton last night, the County Chairman (Mr S. P. Taylor) presiding over a large gathering. Accompanying him were officials of the Council, including Mr G. Kelly (County Clerk) and Miss A. Hosken (assistant-clerk). Emergency Measures.: Mr Taylor explained that the Government had seen fit to pass regulations bringing about the enrolment of men to be called the Home Guard and to organise the man-power of the country to deal with any emergency such as earthquake, flood, invasion, or air attack. The responsibility for the formation of the necessary committees was vested in the local bodies of the respective areas. Conditions of service, training, control, and responsibility were explained by Mr Kelly. Colonel J. Findlay moved, and Mr J. McQuilkin seconded, that a committee be set up at Eiffelton for the Ashburton Riding. This was carried unanimously. The following committee was elected : Mr J. H. Grigg (R.S.A.), Colonel Findlay, Messrs R. Chapman, G. E. Blee, J. Parsons and L. A. Hayward, and Mr P. Sheehan (representing the Farmers’ Union). It was decided that Mr Grigg should be recommended as local commander, and Mr Hayward was appointed secretary of the committee. Chairman Sworn In. Mr Taylor offered his services as a member of the Guard, and was the first duly to be sworn in by the County Clerk, as a Justice of the Peace, amid applause. Several other enrolments followed, the Council's staff being kept busy filling in the forms. They were: Mr J. H. Grigg, Colonel Findlay, Messrs W. L. L. Maginness, S. Keating, J. W. M. Parsons, G. E. Moore, H. H. Hawkins, L. A. Hayward, G. E. Blee, G. J. P. McQuilkin and T. J. W. Beal. Many forms were issued to persons who expressed willingness to join the movement, and they were attested by the local commander. Forming Platoons. It was decided that although the committee was set up. for the whole riding, the'regulations provided for the formation of platoons in other parts of the riding to suit the requirements of the men in those localities. In some parts, it was explained, where there are noiv enough men to form a whole platoon of 30, half a platoon of 15 men would be welcomed.