HOME GUARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 262, 3 October 1940, Page 5

HOME GUARD.

SCHEME OUTLINED

The local Home Cuard Committee met last evening to discuss with Mr It. Sinel, of the National Service Department, matters in connection with the organisation of the Home Guard. The Mayor (Mr T. L. Seddon) presided and also present were‘Messrs F. JAllen (R.S.A.), A. C. McCorkindale (Deputy-Mayor), G. J. Fitzpatrick (Chamber of Commerce), C. H. Tate (town clerk) and It. F. Bell (trades unions). Mr Sinel explained that Feilding and district was now in the No. 6A Military District, of which Palmerston North had been selected as headquarters. The Home Guard organisation was the largest service ever undertaken in the history of the Dominion, and its magnitude and scope of activity exceeded anything hitherto attempted. It would be patent to all that the local authorities were the most appropriate organisations to control this important service. Enrolment forms would be made available immediately, and the Home Guard Committee had many powers under the Home Guard Regulations. Mr Sinel said the Home Guard was a voluntary service, and while tho Government had not stated that it was responsible for liability in the event of an accident, lie was sure the Government would do tho right thing should such occur. Parades would bo arranged to suit local conditions, and drills would be arranged in age groups at school grounds, halls, etc. Parades could be held as soon as the enrolments were sufficient to warrant action in that direction. The military authorities would consult the local authorities on all matters.

In reply to a question, Mr Sinel pointed out that New Zealand had been proclaimed in a state of emergency and had been since the outbreak of the war. That proclamation had not been revoked. Area commanders would be appointed from lists of names submitted by the local committee. The chairman thanked Mr Sinel for his explanation and assured him that Feilding would be able to build up a satisfactory Homo Guard strength. Mr Sinel emphasised the great importance of the Emergency Precautions Scheme and discounted any impression that the Home Guard rendered unnecessary the former organisation. The position was that they should be co-ordinated, and he mentioned, for instance, that the Home Guard could not work efficiently without the cooperation of, say, the transport arrangements which had been made by the Emergency Precautions Committee. The organisation of the fire-fight-ing service would be indispensable to the Home Guard, and the other phases of activity which the Emergency Precautions Scheme provided for would be of great value in a crisis of any nature. What was more, the Emergency Precautions Scheme was a permanent organisation, while tho Home Guard would be functioning for the duration of the war only. It was therefore essential that the Emergency Precautions Scheme be maintained at full strength, and the speaker, in reply to a question from the Mayor, said that the Emergencv Precautions Scheme I committee could draw men from the Homo Guard ranks should they be required. V' 1 ... ' ■ ' v ‘ . W ■ , ';T