HOME GUARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24024, 23 July 1941, Page 8

HOME GUARD

MINISTER'S CRITICISM PROTEST BY MEMBERS COLONEL DEFENDED Strong resentment at the tone of the remarks of the Minister of National Service, the Hon. It. Scrapie, when replying to a statement made on tlio future of the Home Guard by Colonel M. Aldred, V.D., Home Guard commander lor the Auckland district, was expressed yesterday at a parade of the Bemuera Home Guard and by Mr. Jl. S. Campbell, secretary of the Pukekohe Home Guard Committee. Mr. A. r l Vonson, the commander of the Remuera Home Guard, said Mr. Semple was being very free with lus criticism and his remarks were destructive rather than constructive, lie was placing guardsmen in an invidious position. Jt was Mr. Semnle's duty to support the Home Guard, which was at present wilder his department. Mr. Semplo's recent outbursts had disglisted those who were giving their time to the movement and his statements were responsible for keeping many men away from parade®.

Resolution Carried The parade, which was attended by about 110 guardsmen, adopted the following resolution, there being one dissentient:—'"This meeting of the Remuera Home Guard regrets that the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Senipie, should have seen fit to make disparaging remarks concerning Colonel Ald red. Auckland district commander of the Home Guard, and considers this attack upon a worthy and highly-placed officer was entirely unwarranted. "Attacks made by Mr. Semple on Colonel Aldred, an officer with a distinguished record in the field, and earlier upon Mr. H. J. Butcher, chairman of (he Auckland Central Home Guard Committee, because of their efforts to encourage the Home Guard, are proving very detrimental to the well-being of the Guard and are discouraging the men who are doing their duty very ably and without anv assistance from the Minister- of National Service. This meeting expresses the hope that such attacks by the Minister will cease and considers, that such unprovoked attacks are a further reason to remove the Home Guard from the Department of National Service and place it under Army control." Attitude at Pukekohe "Guardsmen at Pukekohe," 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 lias given arduous and devoted service to the Home Guard movement. The progress made in his area is in no small measure due to his efforts. "I have been in touch with members of my committee and tliey bitterly resent the tone of the remarks of the Minister. The committee feels that all guardsmen in New Zealand will support them in making an emphatic protest. Whether the colonel was indiscreet in making the remarks that he did about the future of the Home Guard is not the point at issue and is in any case debatable." Minister's Statement Replying recently to a suggestion by Colonel Aldred that there was now every chance that all reasonably fit men in the Home Guard would come more directly under Army control, Mr. Semple said: "I will ask the people to take no notice of an indidviaual who has published what he had no right to publish. What he said is not official, ana the public should take absolutely no notice of it. They will get the correct official statement in a few days, when the whole matter has been properly dealt with. I am at a loss to know where this individual got his information from." MOUNT EDEN EXPENSES SUM OF £64 RECEIVED The fact that £64 had been received from the Government toward the expenses of the No. 5 Battalion Mount Eden Home Guard was revealed by the Mayor, Mr. R. J. Mills, at a meeting of the Mount Eden Borough Council last night, when application was received from Major A. T. Dow for £SO, which the council had included in its budget for expenses in training, to be made available at once. Major Dow said that a claim had been made to the Government for £64 10s, but nothing had been heard of the matter until then. Application for a grant from the council was withdrawn. BOOTS AND CAPITATION RECEIPT IN HAMILTON (0.C.) HAMILTON. Tuesday The first issue of boots for members of the Hamilton unit of the Home Guard has arrived. In addition capitation money earned up to March 31 has been received and is being handed to the local bodies who financed the initial expenses. Auckland area headquarters has been advised that boots for Auckland guardsmen have been sent from Wellington, although they have not yet arrived. Information has also been received that capitation accounts from the area have been passed to the Treasury for payment.