THE HOME GUARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24261, 30 April 1942, Page 6

THE HOME GUARD

removing discontent COMMITTEE IN AUCKLAND The organisation, training and em- ■ ployment of the Home Guard are at present being inquired into in Auckland by the members of the defence and miltarv affairs committee of the War Council. The members of the committee, Major-General Sir Andrew || Russell, K.C.8., K.C.M.G., the Hon. || W. Perry, M.L.C., and Messrs. L. G. Lowry and E. T. Tirikatene, M.P.'s, arrived from Wellington yesterday and subsequently began their inquiry in a room at the Chief Post Office. Senior officers of the Home Guard ' throughout the Nojrthern Military District attended the inquiry. They included the district director. Colonel M. Aldred, and all the group directors in the district. Proceedings of the committee included receiving information from these officers on the position of the Guard in their respective areas. The committee's inquiry is the result of a request made to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon, P. Eraser, by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland. Toward the end of March he sent a telegram to the Prime Minister asking for the appointment of such a committee "in view of widespread discontent" which he had observed in many parts of New Zealand concerning the treatment of the Home Guard. In granting Mr. Holland's request the Prime Minister said the task of the committee would be to ascertain what further practicable steps could be taken in the desired direction, using Mr. Hoiland's telegram as the committees general order of reference.