HOME GUARD CAMP TRAINING

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23801, 21 November 1942, Page 4

HOME GUARD CAMP TRAINING

MINISTER FORECASTS NEW v SCHEME (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Nov. 20. Periods of training in camp for Home Guardsmen who cannot attend periodical parades without using motor-cars are forecast by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones; in a letter to the Farmers’ Union. The October meeting of the Dominion Executive of the Farmers’ Union resolved that Home Guardsmen who use their own cars in attending parades be supplied with the necessary petrol free of charge. A copy of the resolution was sent to the Minister. “This question has been kept under careful consideration, and it has now been decided that, owing to the tyre and petrol position, those members of the Home Guard not resident close enough to enable them to reach training centres on foot within a reasonable time, shall be allowed to render alternative service in the form of camp training, which will be held at times of the year suitable to local conditions.” the Minister replied. “It is hoped to announce details of this new training in the near future.” SERVICE IN HOME GUARD POSITION OF APPELLANTS EXPLAINED The liability for Home Guard service of men whose general military service was deferred at appeal board sittings before April 30 was explained by an officer at Southern District Headquarters yesterday. Since April 30, when the enrolment of men between the ages of 35 and 51 for Home Guard service was ordered, appeal boards h&ve considered requiring appellants in every case to join the Home Guard, and, where they have decided that men should give this service, have issued instructions accordingly. However, before that date consideration was not given to the question of Home Guard service in every case, though it was made a condition of postponement in some. A new instruction, issued by the National Service Department, calls for reconsideration of appeals heard before April 30 in the light of appellants’ liability for Home Guard service, and appellants in this category who are not already in the Home Guard or who have not been specifically exempted by an appeal authority have been requested to report to the nearest Area Registration Office for instructions. If they are posted to the Home Guard they have the right of appeal. As postponements of general service granted before April 30 are reviewed, appeal boards will consider the question of Home Guard service.