EQUIPMENT AND THE HOME GUARD

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 180, 1 August 1941, Page 6

EQUIPMENT AND THE HOME GUARD

problems in New Zealand can be nearly all summed up in the one word "equipment." The conditions of modern war require armies to be equipped with weapons many of which can be produced only rn a highly-industrialised country. This Dominion is not such a country. and in consequence it must procure much equipment abroad. Efforts io procure it have had to be made under conditions of extreme difficulty for the demand for equipment has been, and still is. greater than the supply. Moreover, the needs of other countries are obviously more immediate than New Zealand's need, and it would not have helped the common war effort of the British Commonwealth if the Dominion had been able to procure supplies at the expense of the United Kingdom. With these considerations in mind, it is extremely encouraging to New Zealand to learn that Mr. Coates" mission to the United States and Canada has been, on the whole, successful, even though he is for good reasons unable to specify what he has achieved. When he set out. there appeared reason to fear that the needs of Xew Zealand would appear insignificant and of slight importance by comparison with those of other countries, but on his own testimony he found both in the United States and Canada a gratifying spirit of helpfulness. This, it should be noted, arose partly from the admiration of Americans and Canadians for the deeds of our soldiers in the Middle East. Though it would be wrong to think that as the result of Mr. Coates' mission New Zealand will receive all that is required, when it is required, it seems clear that the War Cabinet will now be enabled to see ahead more clearly, and to make plans with greater certainty, than has been possible up to now. One part of the defence effort which should be greatly heartened by the more certain prospect of adequate equipment supplies is the Home Guard. This organisation enlisted far greater numbers of men than the Government could provide for, and in consequence the enthusiasm of many of them was blunted. All of them should receive renewed encouragement from the excellent statement made last night by the Acting-Prime Minister. It was evident from what Mr. Nash said, and from the way in which he said it, that the War Cabinet has now reached a precise conception, hitherto lacking, of the purpose o; the Home Guard, and of the organisation and methods of training which are most likely to enable it to fulfil those purposes. The transfer of control to the Minister of Defence was expected, and will be generally approved. The decision to divide the membership, now over 100,00u, into two, and to concentrate on the equipment and training of the 50.000 deemed "fit for combat duties." also appears a wise and necessary step. One factor which will have to be borne in mind is that a great many guardsmen who would naturally be chosen for Division 1. are likely, early next year, to be called up for overseas service. An effort should be made, in the light of this fact, to avoid that periodical depletion of units which is one of the greatest obstacles to the efficiency ot the territorial army. A liberal interpretation may well be given to the phrase "fit for combat duties." Many men, including some of considerable age, aro fit for duties within the restricted sphere allotted to the Home Guard. But the guardsmen as a whole are likely to be thoroughly well pleased at the evidence that the Government docs appreciate their potential value and means to take practical steps to make full use of them.