HOME GUARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 April 1941, Page 3

HOME GUARD

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S APPEAL.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

AUCKLAND, April 27

While stating that there had been a wonderful response, especially m country districts, to the appeal for volunteers for the Home Guard, the Governor-General (Sir Cyril Newall), when addressing the Home Guard parade at the Auckland Domain, said the total Dominion enrolment of about 100.000 men was not enough. The war, which had been far away, had come much nearer in the last few months, and the Empire was in jeopardy, his Excellency said. “But if we all play our parts we will win this fight for freedom,” he added. His Excellency told the Guardsmen that they were training themselves to become fit to carry out most important work for the defence of their country. He had seen the Home Guard in action in England, and it had done wonderful work. Now it was recognised as an essential part of the defence of the Motherland. Guardsmen in Britain had taken over many duties which would otherwise have to be performed by regular soldiers, and thus thousands of men had been released for active service. Should the invasion of England be attempted the Home Guard would play a vitally important part, and the local knowledge of the guardsmen would be of inestimable value. “The Army at Home is wise to this, and is giving it the greatest help,” he said. His Excellency said he knew the present shortage of equipment made things difficult, but he also knew guardsmen would realise that the first two lines of defence would have to be equipped first. “I am glad to see a number of returned soldiers on parade, but there are a lot more who are not in the Home Guard,” his Excellency said. The experience of such men was invaluable. Those who were too young for the last war, and too old for this, also had a wonderful chance of service. “It is no use waiting for an attack to arrive. All men available should start training and do their bit now. That applies to those not already called up.” L