THE HOME GUARD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 45, 3 December 1940, Page 3

THE HOME GUARD

PART IN DEFENCE OF COUNTRY.

MINISTER DEFINES DUTIES.

fPer Press Association).

WELLINGTON. December 2

The functions of the Home Guard in the event of its mobilisation for home defence, were announced by the Minister for National Service (the Hon. R. Semple), in an interview to-night. The War Cabinet, be said, had now defined the respective functions and responsibilities of the army and the Home Guard. Reference was also made by the Minister to proposals for training members of the Home Guard. The Home Guard, said Mr Semple, would assist the army in the following tasks:

(1) On the first threat of invasion, by completing defensive" works under the direction of the Army, and in cooperation with army works companies. These latter units would undoubtedly expand on mobilisation, and suitable pei’sonnel in the Home Guard would be earmarked for this purpose. If additional labourers, or men untrained in military duties but physically capable of carrying out heavy labouring duties, could be organised in the Home 'Guard, these would also be required to assist in carrying out the army defensive works plan. (2) The provision of beach patrols, to give warning on stretches of the coast not covered by the army. Until an emergency arose, such patrols would carry out these duties only in the normal course of their daily occupation. For example, shepherds might be instructed to watch for any unusual shipping activity which was of a suspicious nature. (3) To oppose enemy landings on stretches of the coast not occupied by army units, and to hold on to previously prepared positions until the arrival of mobile army Tin, its. The army, on arrival, would automatically take over command of the sector, whatever the rank of the Home Guard officer might be.

(4) To construct movable, obstacles to delay the advance of an enemy who had effected a landing.

(5) Under the direction of the army authorities, hut not otherwise, to assist in carrying out demolitions and constructing permanent obstacles. (6) Guarding vital points, such as cable landings, oil tanks, bridges, and important points on lines of communications.

(7) The Home Guard will be responsible for producing new sketch maps of coastal areas not included in the army mapping plan. These sketch maps will show such information as local telephone communications, roads, tracks, defensive positions and obstacles.

“Army Headquarters has already instructed its officers to give every assistance possible to Home Guard units in the way of the use of drill halls and training equipment. It is understood that the needs of the army come first in this respect, and assistance will be available only when halls and equipment are not required for army purposes,” said the Minister. “It is expected that bv the end of the present year there will be rifles available to form a nucleus of supply for training and emergency, and in addition consideration is being given to the question qf obtaining for the Home Guard the use of the many thousands of pri-vately-owned rifles in the country. “It should now be apparent,” the Minister concluded, “that the Home Guard has been given a really responsible part in the scheme of home defence, and that every man who joins up will be performing a service of vital importance to liis country.”