NO MORE PARADES

Evening Star, Issue 25046, 13 December 1943, Page 6

NO MORE PARADES

HOME GUARD ON THE RESERVE MINISTER THANKS OFFICERS AND MEN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 12. On June 2b last the Prime Minister, Mr Eraser, announcing the War (Jamuet's decision for a reduction of the home dofenco army, stated that tne Home Uuard woiml be allotted a reserve role and required to perform a day's training per quarter. To-day the Minister 0f..-Defence, Mr Jones, said the War Cabinet. had reviewed tilo position of the Home Guard, and, in view of the improved situation in the Pacific and the. necessity for iuterforin" as little as possible with civilian work? especially in the country districts during the coming busy season, had decided that the time had arrived when the Home Guard, which includes the Defence Engineer Corps, the Lines of Communication Signals, and the Lines of Communication Mecnanical Transport, should be placed on the reHomo Guardsmen will remain liable lor service, but they will not be called upon to resume training or service unless a change in the, military situation' demands such a course. This change will take effect from January 1, and in the meantime, no further parades will be held except those found- necessary by battalion commanders for the purpose of calling in, the arms, equipment, and uniforms now on issue to individual Home Guardsmen. / Mr Jones said that Home Guardsmen would.be allowed to retain the hoots issued to them, but all other. articles were to be returned under arrangements to be made by the unit commanders.' Some Home Guardsmen had become liable for training hi the Territorial Force, and these men would be required-; to ■'return their arms and equipment, but not their uniforms. "I wish to place on record," the Minister said, "the deep appreciation of the AVar Cabinet of the great service rendered to the country by the officers and men of the Home Guard, and in doing so I wish, to include all those who"were responsible for the inauguration of the Home Guard. It will be remembered that the Home Guard was in the first instance the responsibility of Mr Semple, the then Minister of National-Service, who was ably supported and assisted by the Associate Minister, Mr Wilson, the Director of National Service, Mr J. S. Hunter>and the' committees formed by local bodies throughout the Dominion. To all these and to Brigadier R. Young, who held the post of director-general throughout a.nd has just recently retired, and to his district and group directors, and also the direr-tors of the Defence Engineer Service Corp.. Colonel W H. Newnnam. the Lines of Communication Sienalsv Co'-onel J G. Young, and the Lines of Communication Mechanical Transport. Colonel G. L.Laurenson T tender the thanks of the Government.