HOME GUARD

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 229, 24 June 1941, Page 6

HOME GUARD

Integral Part Of Local Defence ADVICE OF IMPERIAL OFFICERS Training And Equipment “For some time past matters concerning the utilization, training and equipping of the Home Guard have been receiving the serious consideration of the War Cabinet,” said the Acting-I’rime Minister, Mr. Nash, in an interview last night. “The exceptional experience of two Imperial officers has enabled the Government during the past week to obtain advice of the greatest value on Home Guard organization m New Zealand in all its aspects, and conversations and conferences between these offices and the War Cabinet should now materially assist in enabling the Government to bring to finality many of the problems with which they are faced in connexion with home defence.

Mr. Nasli said “the Imperial officers concerned were General Sir Guy Williams. the newly appointed military advisor to the Government, who was formerly Commander in Chief of the Eastern Command In 'he United Kingdom and bad bad an Intimate experience of Home Guard problems In an area vital ,t<. the defence plans of the British Isles: and Major-General Holden, who was naylng a brief visit to New Zealand on matters connected with the Eastern Group Supply Organization, and who on his arrival back in England after Dunkirk was called to the War Office to undertake duties connected with the organization of Home Guard activities, when that force was first brought into beinir in Great Britain Training For An Emergency. “The rapid growth of the New Zealand Home Guard in a few mon’ns was a remarkable testimony to tne Iqyiilty and keenness of the manhood of tlie Dominion to render service lu lhe defence of their country, -aid Mr. Nash. "From all parts of the Dominion comes evidence of a splendid response and of enthusiasm to .rganize and train for any emergency 'hat may arise. The Home Guard movement, which is based entirely bn voluntary service, has developed so quickly and its activities have been inaugurated with so much enthusiasm, hat problems of administration ano 'raining have inevitably arisen, ano coupled with those with which the Government has had to grapple in connexion with the dispatch of forces overseas aud he organization of an army for home defence, it has lieen found impossible ■o do all that the Government Was anxious to achieve in the limited uerlod In which this large body of 100,000 Home Guardsmen has arisen “It is imperative that our manpower commitments for overseas be met according to timetable; the training and equipment of men for the Expeditionary Force and reinforcements must take precedence, followed closely with he training and equipping of our own. home defence forces. These requirements have created an enormous demand on our resources and the Government is deeply appreciative of the' wonderful response by all sections of the community which has enabled the Dominion to not only meet its overseas commitments, but to establish an efficient territorial force for the defence of the Dominion. Desire to Serve.

“Ou top of all that, means had to be found to give tangible expression to the desire of thousands of men to serve in their localities where they could train without interference with their normal civilian occupations. Comprehensive proposals have been formulated by tlie Government, in collaboration with Army and Home Guard officials, covering the administration, training and equipment of the Home Guard, and these proposals have been under consideration of the War Cabinet on many occasions. it has been fully recognized that the Home Guard constitutes a very important and integral part in onr general plan of home defence and the utmost care had to be exercised in formulating the scope it should cover so as to secure the maxi mum use of our manpower and equipment.”

Mr Nash said that the War Cabinet decided, therefore, that any proposals affecting the utilization of the Home Guard must be considered in conjunction with the whole programme of home defence. “It is anticipated." concluded Mr. Nash, “that an Carly and comprehensive anouneeinent will be made showing the steps that will be raken in the training and utilization of the personnel: in the <ectirlng of necessary ammunition and equipment - in the wider use of Army equipment : and in the supply of uniforms and other necessary clothing. In the meantime orders have been placed for 50.000 pairs of boots for issue to membe/s of the Home Guard."