THE HOME GUARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24212, 2 March 1942, Page 4

THE HOME GUARD

The arrival and distribution of uniforms to at least some of the Home Guard are a hopeful sign that the long period of neglect this organisation has suffered is coming to an end. Further evidence can be found in a statement by the Minister of National Service that regulations would shortly be produced authorising the transfer of personnel from the Emergency Precautions Service to the Home Guard and vice versa. Mr. Semple repeated, in effect, much of the criticism which has been heard from other sources about the present anomalous position. Until the new powers were obtained and put into operation, he said, ' efficient organisation of neither body could be obtained. This is a remarkable admission—indeed confession —from the Minister charged with the duty of organising manpower to the best advantage. It is surprising also to fod him speaking of a lack of authority to do what he admits to be necessary if the country is to be fully prepared. On the face of it emergency regulations issued early in the war enable the Government to call on men to perform any duty that has to be done. If they are not adequate for so apparently simple a process as filling the ranks of the Home Guard, this is a lamentably late hour to be meeting the deficiency. The fact is, the Home Guard has never had the consideration due to it, and the responsibility rests wholly with the Government.