THE HOME GUARD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 249, 2 August 1941, Page 3

THE HOME GUARD

MR SEMPLE APPROVES CHANGE. MEMBERSHIP NOW 103,000. WELLINGTON, August 1. Expressing his satisfaction that the right thing was done in placing the Home Gnard under Army control, the Minister for National Service (the Hon. R. Semple) said in an interview to-day that lie had been asking Home Guardsmen throughout the Dominion to wait patiently throughout until the Government had an opportunity of doing something worthwhile. * “That time has now arrived,” Mr Semple said. “My job was to create an organisation, with the assistance of others. That was the first task. The second task is left to the Army. The National Service Department’s task was to organise the Home Guard., We set out to do this several months ago, without a single member, and to-day we have 103,000 in the Home Guard, which, in my opinion, is an accomplishment to be proud of. In addition, we have 80,000 in the Emergency Precautions Service organisation and 20,000 in the Women’s War Service Auxiliary (30(000 ! if the affiliated bodies to the auxiliary are included).”, His job was to get enlistments, and in that effort extreme success had been attained. He thanked all those who assisted him in the task that was set hpn. “I am sure that the Government and the nation are grateful to General Sir Guy Williams, who was invited by the Government to come to New Zealand to give us some knowledge of modern warfare, and more particularly the form of organisation and equipment necessary for our home defence,” said Mr Semple. “I had no hesitation in recommending that the Home Guard be passed over to the Army, and with this the Government is in full agreement. The Home Guard would be useless unless it was thoroughly trained and equipped. It can now look forward very shortly to a time when it will he a very virile and valuable force in this country. In .addition to this, it has been announced already by the Minister for Defence that Brigadier E. Puttick is to return to New Zealand. He. is a very distinguished soldier and has had tremendous experience in this war. With his knowledge of the. latest methods of warfare I am sure he will be a tower of strength both to the Army and the Home Guard, and an inspiration to the nation.”