ENROLLING HOME GUARD

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 93, 16 October 1940, Page 10

ENROLLING HOME GUARD

PEOPLE NOT AWAKE

DANGER TO COUNTRY

Apathy in respect to enrolments for the Home Guard was commented on at two meetings held last night. Speaking at Ngaio, Colonel A. Cowles, organiser of the Wellington Home Guard, said that the people had not yet fully realised the danger the country was in, and although the newspapers had been generous in their publicity, a feeling of indifference was apparent.

Surprise at the fact that enrolments in the Home Guard were not coming | at a faster rate was expressed by the chairman, Mr. W. Schierning, in reporting to members of the Karori committee of the Guard that so far 70 residents of the district had joined. While that was not unsatisfactory, and probably better than in a good many districts, he thought that the recruiting rate would have been a good deal better. "I feel," he said, "that the people are not viewing the Home Guard movement with the importance it deserves. It may be that a lot of people are afraid that the duties of the Home Guard will interfere with their other activities. I feel, however, that we must tell the people where they are failing. If only they would give the matter the very serious consideration it warrants, there will be a warmer appreciation of the need for the movement and enlistments will naturally follow." "The feeling I have," said Mr. E. W. Purdie, "is that they are going to .wake up suddenly when the crisis arises." It was pointed out by another member that once the Home Guard commenced to function there would be a greater rallying of forces to the ranks. The organising of the Guard would, however, be a big thing, and tardiness in joining would probably only serve to increase the burden of those building up the organisation. Question 11 on the Home Guard enrolment form had evidently caused some wavering, but it was felt that the assurance given by the Minister would serve to satisfy those who had entertained doubts about the disability clause. "TERRIBLE." The crux of the thing, said Mr. C. R. C. Robieson, was that people did not realise the urgency and importance of being organised for an emergency. There was the case, he said, of two young' people who came into the recruiting depot and asked: "Is it going to interfere with our Saturday tennis?" "Terrible, is it not?" the chairman remarked. It was decided that from next week the recruiting depot at the Karori Library would be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.