HOME GUARD DUTIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 December 1940, Page 2

HOME GUARD DUTIES

AID TO THE ARMY WAR CABINET’S OUTLINE [per press association.] WELLINGTON, December 2. A few days ago, Mr. Semple stated that details of the part which tl e Home Guard would take in the defence of the country would be announced shortly. The War Cabinet has now decided to give effect to the following measures for the defining of the functions and the responsibilities of the Army and the Home The Home Guard will assist the Army in the following tasks.- — (a) On the first threat of invasion by completing defensive works, under the direction of the Army, and m co-operation with the Army Works Companies. The latter Units will, undoubtedly, expand on mobilisation, and suitable personnel in the Home Guard will be earmarked for this purpose. If additional labourers, or men untrained in military duties, but physically capable of carrying out heavy labouring duties, can be organised in the Home Guard, there will also be required to assist in carrying out the Army defensive works plan. (b) The provision of Beach Patrols to give warning on the stretches of coast that are not covered by the Army. Until an emergency arises, such Patrols would carry out these duties only in the normal course of their daily occupation. For example, shepherds might be instructed to watch for any unusual shipping activity. (c) To oppose enemy landings on stretches of the coast not occupied by Army units, and to hold on to pre-viously-prepared positions until the arrival of mobile Army units. _ The Army, on arrival, will automatically take over command of the sector, whatever the rank of Home Guard officer may be. (d) To construct moveable obstacles to delay the advance of the enemy who has effected a landing. (e) Under the direction of the Army authorities, but not otherwise, to assist in carrying out demolitions and in constructing permanent obstacles.

(!) Guarding the vital points, such as cable landings, oil tanks, bridges, and important points on the lines of communications.

(g) The Home Guard will be responsible for the producing of new sketch maps of the coastal areas not included in the Army mapping plan. These maps will show such information as local telephone communications, roads, tracks, defensive positions, and obstacles. Army Headquarters has already instructed its officers to render every assistance possible to the Home Guard units. In the use of drill halls and training equipment the needs of the Army come first, and assistance will be available only when the halls and equipment are not required for Army purposes. It is expected that by the end of the year there will be rifles available as the nucleus of a supply to be used for training and emergency. In addition, consideration is being given to the question of obtaining for the Home Guard the use of many thousands of privately-owned rifles.

WOMEN’S CAMP. AUCKLAND, December 3. The first camp undertaken by a women’s organisation trained for war service in New Zealand will be held on the Avondale racecourse, from December 29 to January 7, when 200 members of the Women’s National Service Corps will go under canvasi

GREYMOUTH MEETING. TWELVE NEW ENROLMENTS. The organisation of the Home Guard at Greymouth was advanced a further stage last evening at a wellattended public meeting held in the Council Chambers, which was addressed by the District Commander for Canterbury-West Coast, Major Kingscote and the Area Commander, Brigadier-General W. Meldrum. Twelve additional enrolments in the Guard were received during the evening, making a total of 58 in the Greymouth district. The Mayor (Mr F. A. Kitchingham) presided, and in outlining the objects of the meeting, stated that the services of the St. John Ambulance had been offered as a complete unit. After referring to his inaugural address at Greymouth six weeks ago, Major Kingscote again stressed the importance of everyone enrolling in the Guard. The least that one could do was to give up a little leisure to prepare to defend the shores of the Dominion, and the training would be made as interesting as possible. The enrolments in the Borough of Greymouth were as yet very poor, and the Borough had no cause to be proud of itself as far as the numbers were concerned, as a battalion should be produced. He hoped that the figures would be very much bigger on his next visit, and appealed to all who had joined the Guard to get their friends to do the same. Brigadier-General Meldrum said that he did not intend to scold the people for the small’number of enlistments in the Guard. In the surrounding districts the enlistments were as follow: —Brunner 116, Hokitika 132, Blackball 52, Ikamatua 41, Ross 34, and Barrytown about 50. After giving a detailed explanation of the training to be undertaken, in relation to the defence of the Vest Coast, the Brigadier-General called on all present to do their best to secure further enlistments, remarking that Greymouth should be able to produce a battalion. Mr A. H. McKane, chairman oi the Greymouth Home Guard Committee, said that the men joining the Guard could become very efficient, instead of the alternative of a rabble m the event of untrained men being called out in the case of emergency. Members of the National Reserve had offered to assist in training. In reply to a question in regard to the training of watersiders, who worked a night shift, Brigadier Meldrum said that they . could tram at the most convenient time. If enrolments were sufficient, said Major Kingscote, engineering units would be formed. Any men genuinely injured on Home Guard service would be looked after by the Government. ~ The Mayor extended thanks to the

speakers for their addresses, and a vote of thanks was carried by acclamation. It was subsequently decided that 'the first parade of the two Greymouth platoons of the Guard should be held at the Drill Hall at 7 p.m. on Thursday.