DEFENCE ON THE HOME FRONT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 34, 10 February 1943, Page 2

DEFENCE ON THE HOME FRONT

NOW that the major issue of the Christchurch East by-election has been settled Cabinet may perhaps turn its attention to the minor matter of New Zealand's war effort. There are a number of points upon which the public could be enlightened without involving that sacrosanct "security" which is so handy a shelter for those who seek to evade issues or delay decisions. We were told, for instance, as a by-election sop, that there were to be certain relaxations in home defence as a result of the better situation in the Pacific. The general public is vitally affected by this. Why not let it know what changes are contemplated? The 41 to 45 class is/now undergoing medical examination. What is going to: be done with that class? The Minister of Defence has announced that.those of the group ..who are passed fit will be given .part-time training or a period in camp, but nothing has been said as to how that policy is to be- carried out or what training periods are contemplated. I The men in this class include a large number who are doing executive work of an important character on the home front. The more-time they can be given to make arrangements for the effective maintenance of their work the better. Yet they are still left in doubt. They were called up before Christmas and the authorities have had .ample time, unless their organisation is chaotic, to decide what they'require from them, "and there is no excuse for indecision and delay. Home Guard duties are to be further amended, and changes have been forecast in other defence units. Why cannot the public be told of these changes in time to meet them?. It is realised that changes in the Pacific situation to-morrow may require a complete recasting of the plans made to-day. That .would be accepted without question, but it does not- justify the maintenance now of ah embargo on information - which would help our own people, without even raising the bogy of "information to the enemy."