HOME GUARD

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 40, 15 August 1942, Page 6

HOME GUARD

COUNTRY UNITS : TYRE REPLACEMENTS Numerous inquiries have been received by the Minister of Prim- » ary Production for War ' Purposes (Mr. W. J. Poison) regarding the possibility of members of Home ' Guard units in country districts obtaining a replacement of tyres for vehicles which are being used for transport of men to their training areas, and through the Minister of Defence he has received an intimation that it is not possible for the Army to accept responsibility for supplying tyres for* these vehicles. "Application must therefore be made to the local tyre controller, in accordance with the procedure laid down for private owners," said Mr. Poison. "In view of the serious shortage of tyres it is regretted that it is not possible for the Army to make special representations on behalf of Home Guard ■ members." EXEMPTION FROM PARADES.: Mr. J^olson said he had also referred to the Minister of Defence the question of Home Guard members obtaining exemption from parades during ' busy seasons, as it had been recog- ! nised that some members of the Home Guard might be unable to fulfil .the prescribed training obligations. Instructions had been issued providing for exemption to be granted by battalion commanders in proper cases on 1 application being made. The instructions- also provided that the circumstances of the members of a unit must be given careful consideration in s fixing the times of parades. Parades should be so arranged that . unnecessary travelling will be avoided. Authority has been given for an Army vehicle to' be "made available for tile ! headquarters of each Home Guard battalion. It is regretted that it is ' not possible to provide free transport ! in all cases. MEN OVER 51 YEARS. "I have also been informed that mem- : bers who are over 51 years of age are ; required to remain in the Home Guard and. that compulsion has been applied ' up to the present time to men who , are -not over that age,", said Mr.* Poison. "It is obviously possible that it may become necessary, to extend the age, >and in view- of the present [ emergency it is considered .that men i over 51 should be required to continue to serve. ' "Members are required to parade, 1 wet or fine, in- their civilian clothes if they have not been issued with uniforms, but large issues of clothing and equipment have been made to the Home Guard in accordance with an ; order of priority based on the roles ' of the respective battalions,, and every effort is being made to increase these issues." '• ■