HOME GUARD

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 80, 1 October 1940, Page 8

HOME GUARD

URGENT NEED

THE REQUIREMENTS

WORK FOR EVERYONE

The urgent need for the formation of the Home Guard is stressed in the following statement issued by the Wellington committee:—

A committee consisting of Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, Mr. R. McKeen, M.P. (Wellington City Council), Mr. E. C. Hale (Wellington Returned Soldiers* Association), Mr. A. R. Hislop (Wellington Employers' Association), Mr. P. E. Warner (Trades and Labour Council), and Lieutenant-Colonel A. Cowles (secretary and organiser) has been set up to organise and control the Emergency Precautions Scheme and Home Guard within the district covered by the City of Wellington, the Johnsonville Town Board, and Makara' County, and that part of the Hutt County on the west side of the hills overlooking Pahautanui inlet and Porirua Harbour. The Home Guard is being: enrolled for the definite purpose of forming a line of defence against a* potential enemy, for the protection of women and children, for the preservation of their homes, and to safeguard the health and general wellbeing of the community from the effects of enemy action. The urgent need of such a force is becoming more evident day by day, and every man who wishes to protect his hearth and home, his womenfolk and children, should enrol immediately, with a resolve to make what sacrifice is necessary to ensure that the Home Guard and units associated with it reach a state of high efficiency. There will be work for every man, young or old, and every man is urged to offer to do his part. THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE. All men over 16 years of age not actively serving in H.M. Forces, are eligible for membership of the Home Guard and special precautions will be taken to post men to suitable units and allot them to duties with due, regard to age, physical fitness, and suitability. Misfits probably will occur, but that can be remedied by transfer to a suitable unit. Twenty-six sub-committees ' have been appointed to effect enrolments, each sub-committee consisting of three returned soldiers and three representatives of electors' associations, progressive leagues, and the like. These sub-committees will conduct the enrolment as best suits the men living in their districts and their arrangements will be announced when all the sub-committees are ready to commence. Volunteers are asked to fill in two forms in duplicate and a supplementary questionnaire. The Home Guard enrolment form, which will be used throughout the Dominion, requires the following particulars:—(l) Full name. (2) Private and business addresses and telephone numbers. (3) Occupation. (4) Anyspecial or. expert knowledge, trade, or craft? (5) Date* and place of birth. (6) Are you British by birth? (7) Are you fit and whole? (8) Next-of-kin. (9) Military experience. (10) Do you clearly understand the obligations cast upon you in joining the Guard? (11) Do you fully accept your own liability for any disability that may be caused or aggravated by carrying out your duties with the Guard? (12) Do you therefore wish to serve in the-Guard? (13) Are you able to perform the required duties and training? (14) Can you handle a boat or ride a horse, or are you licensed to drive a motor vehicle? (15) Do you possess or have available a boat, motor vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, horse, or horse vehicle which you are prepared to place at the disposal of the Guard? SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONNAIRE. Those offering their services in Wellington will be asked to fill in a . supplementary form giving the follow- ' ing information: —(1) Name of your employer (if any). (2) Have you been trained as a fire brigade man? (3) Have you been trained as a fire policeman? (4) What is your hobby? (5) ■ Are you familiar with streets and roads in this area,? Have you any special disability? To assist volunteers in filling up the principal form the following notes have been prepared by the committee. No. 3. Occupation.—State definitely: e.g., "heavy truck driver," "light van driver," "motor mechanic," etc. No. 6.—A naturalised British subject may be attested. If not British but naturalised, the fact should be stated. No. 7.—lf unable to state "yes" use some phrase that will indicate the physical condition, e.g., "fit for light duty," etc. No. 9. —State if qualified to instruct and in what subject, e.g., "instructor Lewis gun." No. 10. —The obligation on the volunteer is to perform to the best of his ability such duties as are allotted, to him and to carry out the terms of the declaration on the main form. No. 13. —Might well" have been worded differently. It should have read, are you willing. The ability to perform duties will be discovered by the answers to the two questionnaires. No. 14.—State what kind of motor vehicle you are licensed to drive. No. 15.—1f you offer your car, motorcycle, etc., for Home Guard duties, petrol will be available when the use of the vehicle is approved by the Home Guard committee. POSTING TO UNITS. On receipt of completed forms, the Home Guard Committee will post men to one of the following units:—Military units, supply unit, transport unit, medical ..unit, communication unit, works unit, accommodation unit, fire brigade, harbour committee, such other units as may be necessary. Volunteers who are not attested cannot bs posted to the military units, but on signing the declaration onlymay be posted to other units. Volunteers may enrol at any depot in the Wellington Home Guard area. All units will parade from time to time as ordered by the controllers, and all will receive elementary military training. Special units will receive special training in the work they will be called upon to do. Intending volunteers are asked to study the above information and thus be in a position to fill in the forms with a.full knowledge of their obligations. They are also asked to enrol promptly. When enrolment is completed full details of parades, lectures, and training will be announced.