REMUERA HOME GUARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 198, 23 July 1941, Page 7

REMUERA HOME GUARD.

VIGOROUS REPLY TO MR SEMPLE. (Press Assn.) AUCKLAND, July 22. Strong resentment at the tone of the remarks of the Minister of National Service (Hon. R. Semple) when replying to a statement made on the future of the Home Guard by Colonel M. Aldred, V.D., Home Guard commander for the Auckland district, was expressed at a parade of the Rcmuera Home Guard and by Mr M. S. Campbell, secretary of the Pukekohe Home Guard Committee.

Mr A. Tronson, commander of the Remuera Home Guard, said Mr Semple was being very free with his criticisms and his remarks were destructive rather than constructive. He was placing guardsmen in an invidious position. It was Mr Semple's duty to support the Home Guard, which was at present under his department. Mr Semple’s recent outbursts had disgusted those who were giving their time to the movement, and his statements were responsible for keeping many men away from the parades. The parade, which was attended by about 115 guardsmen, adopted the following resolution, there being one dissentient:—“This meeting of the Rein uera Home Guard regrets that the Minister of National Service (Hon. R. Semple) should have seen (it to make disparaging remarks concerning Colonel Aldred. Auckland district commander of the Home Guard, and considers this attack upon a worthy and highlyplaced oiheer was entirely unwarranted.

“The attacks made by Mr Semple on Colonel Ald red, an officer with a distinguished record in the field and earlier upon Mr H. J. Butcher, chairman of the Auckland Central Home Guard Committee, because of their efforts to encourage the Home Guard are proving very detrimental to the wellbeing of the Guard and are discouraging men ivho are doing their duty very ably and without any assistance from the Minister of National Service. This'meeting expresses the hope that such attacks by the Minister will cease and considers such unprovoked attacks are a further reason to remove the Home Guard from the Department of National Service and place it under army control.” Guardsmen at Pukekobe, said Mr Campbell in his statement, were astounded to read the remarks of Mr Semple. Colonel Aldred had a distinguished record in the Great War and at tremendous personal sacrifice has given arduous and devoted service to the Home Guard movement.