HOME GUARD

Grey River Argus, 16 March 1942, Page 7

HOME GUARD

CONSCRIPTION OF MEN War Cabinet’s Decision P.A. WELLINGTON, March 15. An announcement that the War Canine u lias approved of regulations providing lor compulsory service Jn the Home Guard, was made oy Rt. lion., i J . Fraser. Amendments to the National Service Regulations, embodying this decision, were passed on Saturday moinmg. The Minister of National Service is now empowered to direct classes or persons to apply for enrolment in the Home Guard, and the Director of National Service is authorised to call up for service in the Home Guard any ’ reservist who is a member of any class covered by the Minister’s order. On the issue of not.ee by the. Director of National Service, the reservist' will be deemed to have become a member of the Home Guard, and the provisions of the Regulations apply in regard to the rights of appeal in the same manner as if he had been called up for Territorial service.

No direction has yet been macle under these provisions, and publicity will be given, through the press, as soon as any direction is made, and the full procedure will then be outlined.

A further amendment to the Regulations confers authority on the Minister to direct any class or classes of persons to undertake such service as is considered necessarv in the prosecution of the war effort. Previously, a direction could only be made to an individual, but now authority has been extended to cover classes of persons.

In view of the present war situation, it will be appreciated that the prosecution of much work is a m alter of grave urgency. Where urgent works for defence or civil purposes are required, this new .provision will enable adequate labbur to be quickly diverted for the purpose.