LOCAL AND GENERAL

Franklin Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 135, 22 November 1940, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Expression of Thanks. The Mayor, Mr S. Evans, at lasi evening's Home Guard meeting expressed his thanks io Colonel M. Aldred for his address and his willingness to spare Papakura a night out of his very busy time lately with the Home Guard. “The meeting,” lie added, “is also grateful for the 'presence of and work done by Mr A. .P. Day and Mr W. T. Cheeseman. The best way to thank'these gentlemen is io enrol at once,” concluded the Mayor. Many did enrol. What Every 1000 Means The meaning of every extra 1000 men in the Home Guard was described by Colonel M. Aldred at Papakura last evening like this: “The more men that join up, the less likely any enemy is to come to our shores. The more we defend, and let the enemy know we are going to defend New Zealand, the more likely is the enemy to say, ‘it's not worth it.’ To stay out of the Home Guard and refuse to defend your own country is simply asking the enemy to come here.” said the Colonel in a straight from the shoulder common sense address. Rifles For Home Guard. “Are any rifles available for t lie Home Guard?” was a question put to Colonel M. Aldred at Papakura last evening when addressing a public meeting. Colonel Aldred said he knew how many rifles were in New Zealand but lie could not divulge the information. “However,” said the Colonel, “there are :10,000 privately owned rifles in the country and 1 am putting it up Io the powers-that-be that these rifles should lie made available to the Home Guard. Of course, the Arms Act comes into it. But,” said the Colonel vigorously, “if a man won't come into the Home Guard then we should gel his ‘bally’ rifle.” (Cheers).