Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1940. THE HOME GUARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 42, 29 November 1940, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1940. THE HOME GUARD.

Now that the Ashburton unit of the Home Guard has held a parade it is to be expected that recruiting will receive an impetus. The total of 196 men enrolled up to date cannot be regarded as the Borough’s capacity membership. The fact that there is no immediate emergency by no means implies that the formation of the organisation is not necessary. If danger is to be met adequately when it comes efficient preliminary training is essential. No one who has any knowledge of international events in recent years can fail to realise the importance of preparation. In the Home Guard there is ample opportunity for many members of the community to undergo training in one of the many forms of activities thaPit will be called upon to undertake. The only qualification is a degree of physical fitness for sustained work in time of emergency. The scheme provides opportunities for national service according to the member’s ability and capacity. The call of the Empire is not only to the young men to perform military service; it is also to every reasonably fit man to do his part so that the defences of the country behind the front line are as effectively manned as we know is the case with the forces overseas. The leaders of the movement in Ashburton Borough hope that the total strength will be about five hundred. There should be no difficulty in obtaining that number. But- it is highly desirable that those who are willing to play their part should enrol at once, so that the training may be put on a proper basis without delay that might affect the efficiency of the Guard were an emergency unhappily to arise.