ROME GUARD AT ASHBURTON

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23749, 22 September 1942, Page 4

ROME GUARD AT ASHBURTON

CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS BETTER BASIS

"Members of the Home Guard, after two years’ willing service, feel at a dead-end and unrest is general,” stated the chairman (Mr S. P. Taylor) of the Ashburton County Council, in a telegram which he sent yesterday to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. Peter Fraser). Mr Taylor added that members of the Home Guard, mostly farmers and farm workers, felt that their efforts and time were wasted unless they were placed on a better basis with arms, uniforms, and equipment. The Ashburton council, which formed the Home Guard, felt that something must be done, and suggested a conference with the Ministers of Defence and National Service (the Hon. F. Jones and the Hon. W. J. Broadfoot). They had said that they could not come, but would send a senior officer to Ashburton.

Mr Taylor suggested a conference at Ashburton next Friday, and said he thought it was vital that a Minister of the Crown should be present to state the Government policy. The Minister of Defence advised the council yesterday that because of the war situation it was impossible for him to leave Wellington at present, nor could he suggest a date for a visit to Ashburton. He was prepared to arrange for a senior officer of the southern military district headquarters to visit Ashburton, or to consider representations in writing. Alternatively, he would receive a deputation in Wellington. A reply was sent by the council that it would welcome the attendance of a senior military officer at a conference at Ashburton on Friday morning.