The Putaruru Press PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY PHONE 28 P.O. BOX 44 OFFICE OXFORD PLACE THURSDAY, JULY 1, 1943. TITLE OF HOME GUARD

Putaruru Press, Volume XVII, Issue 1039, 1 July 1943, Page 2

The Putaruru Press PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY PHONE 28 P.O. BOX 44 OFFICE OXFORD PLACE THURSDAY, JULY 1, 1943. TITLE OF HOME GUARD

ESSENTIAL reorganisation of the Defence Forces is —a ng p.aee within the Dominion. wj_ following as it does tne passing of a possible invasion oj. our shores, the reorganisation is c. a drastic kind, and as in all sue.: cases there -re bound to be hardships here and there. However, these . personal hardships are as nothing to the more genuine cases cf many of those who have already gone overseas. Further, there is always a natural resistance to such changes on the part of those who for one reason or another have “dug-.r.” or secured positions, often mere lucrative than they had in civilian life. In such an essential change there is need for- a certain amount of ruthlessness on the part of those bringing it about if this natural resistance referred to is to be overcome and the body politic is not to suffe.r. This is a point wh'ch if not appreciated by the powrr-~> that be, will finally result in a derided weaken ng of the -effort tew ids the desired goal, which is a minimum compact organisation to supply, reinforcements for overseas and at the same time have a competent guard-force for the defence of the Dominion in case, of unexpected eventualities, together with a -coji-cc ntration of the rest of the population on production. During the last war there was a typical example of ihe kind of ruthlessness needed to-day when the late Brigadier-General Fulton was sent to England for a rest mum ag.inst his will. He only stayed a few weeks, but during that time be saw to it that the “dug-ins” of Sling Camp were, dug-out and sent to do their share of the fighting This

clearance caused a similar outcry -as some are attempting to-diy, and many strings were pulled without avail, for the much-loved “Bully” Fulton was a. l born fighter and, not one to give way. However, it gave intense satisfaction to everyone else, especially the front-l*ne soldier. There is undoubted need for the Fulton spirit to-day. Idling in camp not only costs money, but it also dries up a source of taxation and encourages pausification of the Army. Many of the girls in khaki also could and should be transferred to more important work A point in the change-over which is worthy of consideration is the re tention of the title “Home Guard ” This grand; body of men have voluntarily and willingly sacrificed not only much time, but much money for the love of their country, yet at times they have not received that consideration due to men whose motives were inspired by such patriotism.

The name “Home Guard 1 ” ha s a strong psychological appeal. Ir. addition there are many fine officers and men in the Guard who are thorough and most efficient at their jobs, and are still prepared to carry on even when fear of invasion is passed It would be a nice gesture and quite suitable recognition of past work and of future possibilities, if the new body being created were to be called the Home Guard instead of lapsing once again to the almost meaningless and uninspiring title of “Territorials.”