HOME GUARD

Grey River Argus, 4 June 1942, Page 2

HOME GUARD

HOKITIKA RECRUITING Colonel Churchward and Captain Kitson visited Hokitika and met the controllers of the local E.P.S. and discussed the arrangements to meet any emergency. They were accompanied by the District Controller, Mr G. Harker. Colonel Churchward stressed the need for greater cooperation between the Home Guard, E.P.S. and Women’s Auxiliary. It was most desirable that the W.W.S.A. should immediately link up with the E.P.S. It was essential that as many fit men as possible be drafted to the Home Guard. Members of the W.W.S.A. could take over many _ of the jobs in the. E.P.S. now being carried out by men. Fire watching services, truck driving, clerical duties and a host of other duties could be carried out by the women. There was room for co-ordination of medical services in towns like Hokitika. One medical service could serve the Home Guard, E.P.S. and citizens’ organisations. He urged that the committee arrange transfers of suitable men to the Home Guard to go to work at once. The Army welcomed co-operation and would give all assistance. The first line of defence was the Home Guard. If the enemy succeeded in landing it would be useless to have a large army waiting to repair water mains and other services. Every fit man’s place was in the Home Guard. Only key men were required in the E.P.S. The Home Guard could lend squads to help in E.P.S. work such as restoring services. Some thought all members of the E.P.S. were key men. This was not so. The key men of the E.P.S. were practically the men at that meeting, with the addition of such as borough engineers, chief electricians and gas engineers. For Hokitika about 250 seemed the reasonable number to carry out the E.P.S. work, and a great number could be women. Once women were trained they were very efficient, and became excellent leaders. A number of questions were answered. The Deputy Mayor, Mr C. C. Caliari expressed thanks to Colonel Churchward for his interesting address, and for the valuable information he had given to the controllers.