ARMS ESSENTIAL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20379, 16 October 1940, Page 4

ARMS ESSENTIAL

DISTRICT DEFENCE ‘TO STRIKE A BLOW” BACKGROUND WORK TOO While agreeing that a great deal of the work of the Home Guard in this or any district would be in spheres not directly in contact with the enemy in the event of an invasion, members of local organisations who to-day discussed the formation of units with headquarters officials expressed the view that a supply of weapons would be essential to the successful training of men for district defence. This opinion was emphasised in discussion with Mr. R. Sinel, who visited Gisborne in connection with the Home Guard organisation and who admitted that without the prospect of an eventual issue of weapons the guard could not do the job for which it was being raised. In reply to Mr. A. A. Fraser, who asked what the Home Guard would train with, Mr. Sinel stated that he anticipated, though without any official grounds for the anticipation, that the units would be given every opportunity possible of becoming versed in the handling and use of weapons. That was dependent upon weapons being made available. The matter of training was primarily one for area commanders. Area Commander Colonel R. F. Gambrill stated that he had been advised of his appointment as area commander, but had no further official information. He was advised, however, that in some areas the Home Guard units were turning out for training with all kinds of fire-arms from pea-rifles to elephaht guns. Mr. Hay pointed out that while rifles were, of course, essential if the Home Guard was to take part in the defence of the country, a great deal of training could be done without weapons. Colonel Gambrill recommended the meeting to remember that the Home Guard would not be a first-line force, but nevertheless it could be used most effectively in support of the territorials and the National Reserve Organisation must be dove-tailed into the general scheme of defence, and care must be taken to see that what appeared to be the best thing from a local viewpoint was not hampering the defence effort from the national point of view. The organisation of the civil population was almost as essential as the development of military defence, he continued, especially in view of what had taken place 'in Belgium, Holland and France. The whole scheme of defence • must take cognisance of the interests of every group in the community, and provide for all eventualities. Field for Useful Work “There is a feeling that a man is not doing anything for': defence unless he is handling a weapon,” he added. “Naturally everyone wants to strike a blow, but even in a purely military organisation the proportion of those able to strike a physical blow is comparatively small. The Home Guard may contribute a striking force to the defence of the Dominion, but there is a tremendous field for useful work on the part of men who cannot take a place in the front rank.” He suggested that Mr. Sinel point out to the Minister pf National Service that one of the local difficulties arose from the lack of a suitable hall for training purposes. Referring to the position of men now training with the Legion of Frontiersmen, Mr. Sinel stated that they could join the Home Guard as individuals, and if they were more advanced in training they would probably be included in more advanced units of the guard. They must adopt the uniform of the Home Gudrd and conform with its training schedule, in order to avoid confusion. They could not permit a variety of uniforms.

Mr. Sinel was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address, and he and Mr. Hay withdrew to continue their organisation tour, with Wairoa as their next stop.