CONFIDENCE ENGENDERED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 226, 16 October 1940, Page 5

CONFIDENCE ENGENDERED

HOME GUARD ORGANISER'S ADDRESS LOCALITY EFFECT STRESSED - "I think, gentlemen, you . will -agree ~ that Mr Sinel's address 'was very, instructive and has restored our confidence in the said Hrjs Worship the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, at the •conclusion of the meeting called! on Monday afternoon to hear Mr R. Sinel, Dominion Organiser of the Home Guard ""Candidly, I wondered if we were to get any further,"* said His; Worship, addressing. Mr Sinel ""because we have had many meetings and there has been no progress. The chief difficulty -appeared to be a possible cony* flict between the Home Guard movement and the Emergency .Precautions Schemes instituted the Borough and' , From Mr Sinel's address it is ob- * viouS that the Home Guard will not Emergency Precautioiii. Sctieme. Thanks to the clear explanation we can , get right on to the job," Mr Barry concluded* With tlie-Mayor presiding, the attendance comprised, in addition to the visiting party, Messrs S. S. .Shapley (Deputy-Mayor), G. H. ••Christiansen and W, Clark (Return- . eel Soldiers' Association), C. G. Lucas and C. H. Brebner (Whakatane County Council). An apology was received from Mr J. L. Buurnett. -•Countj" Chairman.

Effective Address., In an effective address characterised by clear reasoning, Mr Sinel traversed the main points of the _ ."Home Guard organisation and the necessary and desirable influence that locality effect would have on the scheme in its operation. It was not his purpose, said-the .speaker, to push the local bodies along. He was there to pass on any information. There -would arise many problems that would have to be' resolved, but they were to be expected, were unavoidable and could Jbe solved by. local committees, Mr Sinel said the formation of local committees was necessary because it would be unreasonable to put all the work on to the local --authorities' executive officers. , Synchronisation of Activities. One of the main difficulties,. said Mr Sinel, would arise from the disposition of the enrolled men to --avoid confusion in or disorganisation of the Emergency Precautions . Schemes. The latter services must be kept fully manned. It would be • one of the functions of the committee to allot men to the services. The •committee, with its knowledge of the-men's experience and capabilities/ could, and would have to effect the disposal of the men to the best advantage. If the services of a man enrolled in the Home were-required in the Emergency Precautions Scheme, he would be : asked to do that work. Hn this connection Mr Sinel in"Stanced the case of volunteer auxiliary firemen in Wellington. Upon the formation of an Emergency Precautions Scheme for that town, 140 men had enrolled for duties in the •Fire Service branch and had regularly attended parades for instruction,. When the Home Guard was formed the attendance dropped to 5. The remainder said, 'We want to Join the Home Guard.' "'But," said Mr Sinel, "if the emergency arose, and none of us want to see it, those men will be returned to the Fire Service. They joined the Home -Guard on that understanding."

Relief of Frustration Spirit. In his figreral remarks Mr Sinel the 'Citizen Army' would do much to relieve the spirit of frustration among ■ those men who far various reiansons could not join the fighting forces. Particularly did this apply in the country districts,* .districts whe.re, in the compulsory training days, the areas hadl been exempted, and in which areas to-day the majority of the men were classed as being in reserved occupations. Xo youths not of military age; to those men over the military age; ta those with family responsibilifties; to those classed as not fit for active service, the Home Guard movement would give the opportunity of serving. *<Continued at foot of next column)

The Liability Aspect. Discussing Clause 8 in the synopsis of the scheme, wherein it is stipu latcd that all must accept their own liability for any disability that may arise, or be aggravated, \ through service, Mr Sinel sa„id that that again was a matter of policy. For the Government to accept the liability would mean the medical examination of every man and to conduct medical examinations on such a large scale was obviously impossible^ It was there, again, that committee's local knowledge would play a very important part. If a man said, 'I will not join if I am not to bo compensated for injuries received,' he Avas not worth having in the Guard, which was being formed to protect the 'homes and hearths' of New Zealand. Although making it clear that it was not an official pronounce ment, Mr Sinel said: "If, duriny any time of training in the Home Guard, injuries were sustained which were directly attributable to that training, I have no doubt that favourable consideration would be given to a claim."