HOME GUARD RECRUITS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24264, 4 May 1942, Page 4

HOME GUARD RECRUITS

ENROLMENT PROCEEDING No time is being lost in Auckland in expanding Home Guard units following the announcement by the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple, concerning the procedure to be adopted in providing additional personnel. It is the intention of the Auckland Area Manpower Committee to make available immediately for Home Guard service men in the gazetted ago group who appear to be eligible and whose civilian obligations do not conflict with their ability to undertake the service. It is'expected that the city units of the Home Guard will be substantially reinforced within the next few clays. Since the Minister's announcement was made on Friday a considerable flow of applications for enrolment have been received at the Manpower Committee office. It is hoped that within the seven-day period allowed by the gazette several thousand applications will pass through the office. , Most of the men who have applied for enrolment so far have indicated that thev already have some active connection 'with the E.P.5.0., and several have stated that thev were medically unfit for the Army. The ages included in the applications received cover the whole group gazetted. CLASSES OF MEN EXEMPTED FIRE AND POLICE SERVICES (0.C.) new PLYMOUTH. Sunday Clarification of the classes of men exempted from compulsory enrolment in tlie Home Guard was obtained from the Director of National Service, Mr. J. b. Hunter, by the chief controller of the E.P.S. at New Plymouth, Mr. P. E. Stainton, yesterday. "The exemption granted to members of the fire-fighting services applies only to regular, uniformed firemen and members of the emergency fire service, stated the director. "It does not include fire police, fire guards, fire watchers, or fire patrols. So far as the police are concerned, the exemption applies only to permanent members of the force.