MINERS AND THE HOME GUARD

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 234, 3 October 1942, Page 4

MINERS AND THE HOME GUARD

MINERS in the Home Guard, who in some of the areas constitute from 50 to 100 per cent of the company enlistments, are strongly protesting against the new order exempting all coal miners from service in the guard. At first glance there seems to be little reason for such an exemption, since the miners work on a 40-hour week and no overtime basis, and since they are out of the mines in ample time each afternoon for evening parades. But there is also the point that in the event of an invasion, actual or threatened, the need for coal to transport troops from one area to another might make it imperative to keep every mine at top production. In that event any unit with a large proportion of miners would be completely disorganised, and this is possibly the explanation for the decision now made. The vigorous protest of the miners, many of whom have for long bf en enthusiastic members of the Home Guard, and who believe that thev can do good work in defence, has the justification that if the reason quoted Is correct they should never have been encouraged to enlist in the Home Guard. The exemption comes much too late, and it is a symptom of the irresolution and indecision of the Government. It was originally decided that there should be no exempted industries, but that each case should have Individual consideration by the Appeal Boards. That was a good decision as a starting point, but its implications should have been developed long before this. They have, so far as the declaration of certain industries as essential are concerned, though even in these cases individual essentiality must be proved. In other Industries, not classed as essential but so important a part of the war service that their continuance under the threat of invasion is necessary, steps should have been taken to ensure that neither Home Guard nor E.P.S. requirements would bring them to a standstill in the face of a real emergency. Now that direct attention has been drawn to the point a definite policy to cover all industries which must function in wartime should be developed and publicly stated.