DECISION SOON

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 206, 1 September 1942, Page 4

DECISION SOON

HOME GUARD FUTURE

PROVISION OF UNIFORMS

Asked before his departure for Wellington last evening when a decision on several matters of interest to the Home Guard could be expected, the Minister of War Expenditure, Mr. Holland, said the report of the committee of inquiry into Home Guard affairs had been completed and circulated to members of the War Cabinet. He expected that the various recommendations would be the subject of a decision at almost any time now.

"The Home Guard has been a very patient organisation—l might almost say long-suffering," said Mr. Holland. "It is extraordinary how well the keenness has been "maintained in many, if not most, districts.

"The supply of uniforms for those] lacking them is one of the first things requiring attention. Both with regard to clothing and equipment, I do not think I should say anything that will be construed as a definite undertaking that deficiencies will be rectified immediately. I may say that the Home Guard is entitled to and can expect preference over the E.P.S. in the matter of uniforms. Quite recently a recommendation was made that the officers of E.P.S. units should be fitted out \Vith uniforms. Uniforms for all other members of the E.P.S. would have been the next step. The proposal was, hewever, promptly rejected."

Despite disappointments, added the Minister, Home Guardsmen could rapt assured that their role had been ari important one in the scheme of national defence, and while he did not wish to make any forecasts that would not be realised, many would agree that the manpower position of the country and the calls made for men for the army suggested that greater use of the Home Guard's services would need to be made in the near future.