THE HOME GUARD
Sir,—When Mr. Semple and the Government formed the Home Guard they evidently had in mind a semi-demo-cratic "people's army" on 1 lie lines proposed by Mr. Tom Wintringham in his widely-circulated little book, "New Ways of War." Mr. Wintringham, a socialist, commanded the British battalion of the International Brigade in Spain.'His book shows a considerable dislike for orthodox British military organisation and discipline, and envisages a reserve army very similar to the Spanish Republican irregulars beside whom ho fought. If Mr. Semple bad not been imbued with ideas like these he would not have kept the Homo Guard so long as his "private army," carefully insulated from control by, and contact with, the Defence Forces. Perhaps he now has some regrets. The Home Guard, not being restrained by King's Regulations, is holding meetings, passing resolutions and giving him a good deal of critical back-chat. The burden of its complaint is that it is tired of civilian control and wauls to be part of the Defence Forces. The sooner that is done, the better for the Dominion. Unitas.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24026, 25 July 1941, Page 4
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180THE HOME GUARD New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24026, 25 July 1941, Page 4
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