THE HOME GUARD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 123, 6 March 1941, Page 2

THE HOME GUARD

CONSCRIPTION NOT INTENDED. SATISFACTORY POSITION ✓ * ■ (P.A.) INVERCARGILL, Mar. o. There is no official suggestion of conscription for membership of the Home Guard or for emergency precautions scheme work, according to the Minister for National Service (the Hon. R. Seinple). Enrolments for the Home jSuard in New Zealand now total 70,000, and within the next few weeks it is expected t\iat membership will reach 100,000. Therefore, the Minister is very satisfied with the position. “With 100,000 armed members of the Home Guard in various parts of the country and a strong force of trained Territorials, \there will be a good defence organisation in New Zealand,” said the Minister in an interview oil liis arrival in Invercargill this afternoon. “To provide the men with uniforms and equipment will be a problem, but everything possible is being done in that direction.” The Minister said that ill some quarters the calling up in the near, future of lads of 19 and men from 41 to 43 for home defence had been taken as an indication of conscription for the Home Guard. That was not the case. •Members of the Homo Guard received only spasmodic training, whereas the men to be in the fifth, ballot for Territorial service would bo given thorough and intensive training to equip them fully for any emergency. There was no need for conscription for the Home Guard, and no such measure would be introduced. The suggestion bad been made that in vulnerable areas, where invasion was more likely' to take place, members of the district’ Home Guard should be drilled and equipped by the Army Department to bring them to the highest standard of efficiency. Members of the Homo Guard would, in such a case, retaintheir original identity. “Later on the Government will have to take greater responsibility in the matter of meeting the expenses of the Home Guard,” added Mr Semple. “It is a policy question, but when it comes to the defence of New Zealand and the protection of the lives and liberty of the people, the Government is not going to haggle about costs. The prosecution of the war comes first and cost second, provided there is no extravagance.’

FIRST PARADE AT WAKANUI. . The first parade of the Wakanui Home Guard was held in the Hall grounds and attracted a good muster. The local comjnander (Mr A. Amos) signed up five new members atl a meeting later in tho Hall. - Good progress was made and it was decided to hold the next parade on Saturday, March 13.