Patea & Waverley Press FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 1941 THE HOME GUARD

Patea Mail, 3 January 1941, Page 2

Patea & Waverley Press FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 1941 THE HOME GUARD

XHE following letter from the pen oi‘ cTpoftfuu residing in the Auckland'u.strict appeared in the “New Zealand .Herald" recently: Sir,—l.., have noticed several complaints of flick of interest in the Home Uucird find wondered it the same reason mignt apply elsewhere as applies in this district. Wc had indeed highly satisfactory enrolments completed. '.-Vincito our own surprise wc were in formed that it would take five or six weeks to prepare the syllabus. This period has passed and oWelling has been dune and we have not yet had a pa rad w Why it should take live or six weeks to type a few small pages and in struejiuus for physical drill and platoon drib is hard to understand; in fact liiey should have been ready at A keen interest was taken in the movement. If that interest is waning, who la to Inamo? From the above it would appear linn conditions with regard 10 Ihe Home Guard in the Auckland district ar« no better than those obtaining in Taranaki where the members still await the longpromised syllabus. Up to the present the authorities seem content if they have a tlome Guard on paper, entirely unmuued and without instructions as to wind they can do to justify their cmslcncc as a body of men enrolled for the purpose of drfewding the country. No men, however patriotic they are art 1 going to parade night after night and do nothing except perhaps march up and down the street. J.i is now nearly five months since the Hon. D. Wilson visited South Taranaki for the purpose of outlining the

objects of the Home Guard with, a view to companies being formed. In the course of iiis remarks he stated that the organisation would not be under military control, but should .work with, the guidance and assistance of the military authorities and bo avail - al le to them to the extent, that may be necessary and practicable having regard lo the nature of any emergency that may arise. Up to now the guidance line! assistance of the authorities has net •materialised so far as any pradical work is concerned. Mr Wilson went on to say that He syllabus and method of training wnuld essentially be unde..’ Ihe guidance of the army and be noth \vi idd accrue in organising specialised sections such as shilled wo.- kors, boatmen, drivers, horse men and such. The syllabus, as wc have already staled, his ir-1 yw come to hand, although newlv hve months have elapsed si u-t> Mr. Wilson’s words were attired, clm3ug which lime the coimtiy cm?id have been raided again and again. With regard to the arming of the Guard, Mr. Wilson staled that it would be unwise and undesirable during the training period to issue arms and ammunition to individuals, but such should be kept in suitable depots such as military or police premises, and used for exercises or practice. Depots should be provided by the military authorities without delay and sufficient arms and ammunition provided so that all members could become proficient in the use of the rn:-'. It is an absurdity to talk of forming a Home Guard for the purpose of defending the country and not providing members with the necessary means of defence. The proper use of the rifle is the very first thing they should be taught so that members of the Guard may be ready for any emergency that may arise, liifle shooting should be the first thing to be taught and every encouragement given to members to become useful shots, able to judge distances, gauge Hie allowance to be made

for wind and other details iu connection with rifle- shooting. In Patea so.far nearly 200 men have been enrolled and these are anxiously awaiting instructions as to what they should do. Until these instructions ’ and 100 arms and ammunition arrive wc would suggest that the members ox the Guard be drafted into various units such as ambulance, signal]' hug, rifle shooting, a id any otkci units that may be decided upon. These members could then commence training by parading’ on certain nights when they could In given talks op the various branches in whicli they won in forested, Offers' have already been received from highly qualified men to coach members in rifle shooting, signalling, and ambulance work. If a start were made with these branches alone interest would be kept alive and much useful work would be done rr. readiness for any emergency that may arise. After all is said and done the defence of one’s country should be of paramount importance and every man should aim a I being iu a position to render good sendee in this direction instead of being'more- or,less in the way.