THE HOME GUARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23975, 27 May 1941, Page 12

THE HOME GUARD

Sir, —r 11 your leader on Wednesday Inst on the coming to New Zealand of General Williams, vour reference to t'he possible reorganisation of the Home Guard is timely. The example of the Home Guard in England shows that the Home Guard here could soon become a formidable organisation. This could Ix? done by: Issuing to every guardsman an official syllabus of training adapted from the English Home Guard Manual to suit New Zealand renditions. Utilising and improvising equipment and weapons which, though unorthodox, have been proved useful to a citizen army in modern warfare. Establishing full time, paid headquarters and area staff's and district Home Guard schools, and providing for more co-operation by the regular military forces. Providing better facilities for the discussion and exchange of ideas on training and for periodical revision of methods in the light of local experience. Making local units responsible for a complete and intimate knowledge of their own ground. Enforcement of the disciplinary regulat ions. Enlisting the more active assistance of civilians with organising and technical ability. Stimulating the enthusiasm of guardsmen by a more lively interest on the part of the public in general and leading citizens in particular. Energetic efforts on these lines would soon enable the guard to function usefully with the means at its disposal, and would also .promote a keener interest in training. Ostkui.KV PAKK.