THE HOME GUARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23923, 25 March 1941, Page 6

THE HOME GUARD

INCREASE OE 20,000 PROGRESS IN FEBRUARY TOTAL NOW OVER 86,000 (S.R.) 'WELLINGTON, Monday An increase of 20,000 in the membership of tlio Home Guard during February, bringing the total on the last day of the month to BG,f>oß, was announced to-night by the Minister ot National Service, the lion. H. Semple. Nearly nil the 28 areas in the Dominion had shown a .substantial increase in strength, Mr. Semple said, the irreatest progress being made at I'aliuersion North, Punedin, Hamilton, Kotorua, Napier and Wellington. [Recruits were still being enrolled, and he considered Hint the objective of at least 100.000 would easily be reached. "The position generally is better in the country districts than in the larger centres," the Minister said. Jlowe\ei, the interest being shown all over the Dominion is very gratifying. A pleasing feature is the interest being taken in the Homo Guard by the -Maori race, which already has nearly 4000 members in the North Island alone." Mr. Semple added that the position was even more satislactorv, considering that recruiting for the emergency precautions scheme was also in lull swing. Certain key men previously in the Home Guard had been transferred to emergency precautions services, as they were regarded as essential men in the maintenance! of public services. The following figures show the increases at Auckland centres recorded in February, the total at January .'SI being quoted first-, followed by that at February 28: —Auckland. 7o()0, 8<32.">; I'aeroa. .'IOB2, 3968; Kotorua, ."1093, .11.">8; YVhangarei, 3750, 4003; Hamilton, 5039, 0.101. THE ISSUE OF UNIFORMS [POSSIBILITY OF DELAY (S.-TC.) WELLINOTON, Monday The supplying of battle dress for the j Territorials and the consequent issue of the present territorial uniform to the Home Guard depend on the demands made on production by the forces overseas and reinforcements, according to nn announcement ninde to-day by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. I'. .Jones. He said the Government intended to put members 'if the Home Guard in uniform, but the overseas forces must be the first consideration. The Minister thought it probable that a large number of suits of the old s-rvice dress in reasonably good condition could lie brought back from overseas. He added that all serge uniforms for the New Zealand forces were being supplied from New Zealand, and it would be understood that this might mean delay in the production of the additional uniforms required before the Home Guard could be clothed.