CONFERENCE OF AREA COMMANDERS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 64, 9 December 1940, Page 6

CONFERENCE OF AREA COMMANDERS

Home Guard Organization

Dominion Special Service PALMERSTON N., December 7. Gratification was expressed today by Major-General 11. Young, C. 8., C.M.G., D. 5.0., Dominion Commander of the Home Guard, who is visiting Palmerston North, that he had received reports from all the areas in the Wellington Central Military district indicating that in the past 10 days there had been an increase in the rate of enrolments for the guard. General Young said also that an excellent type of man was joining. "1 am pleased to hear, also, that as a result of the rally held in Palmerston North this week, the enrolments have increased here,” commented General Young. “It is obvious that the people of Palmerston North are realizing the necessity of the Home Guard being organized as quickly as possible.” Though arrangements for a conference of Home Guard area officers from the districts bounded by Gisborne, New Plymouth and Wellington city were put in hand only last Tuesday, all the area commanders except one are attending the gathering being held in Palmerston North this weekend. This conference, General Young explained, would discuss the training of the Guard and its internal administration. Yesterday and today the officers concerned were engaged with General Young in visiting the coastal area lying between the Rangitikel and Mauawatu Rivers. Much of the work being carried out in this preparatory stage is designed to meet the needs of the military authorities! General Young expressed appreciation of the aid given by Mr. 11. V. Bond, Mauawatu County engineer, who is sub-area commander for the Mauawatu County. He had been most helpful with the provision of maps, said General Young, and bis local knowledge of the district was most valuable. The Manawatu County Council had also given assistance in lending its offices for meetings.