SPECIAL UNIT TO BE CREATED

Southland Times, Issue 24355, 8 February 1941, Page 6

SPECIAL UNIT TO BE CREATED

New Zealand Home Guard (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 7. _ A special unit of the Home Guard is to be created to control road traffic in an emergency, the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple, announced today. “The enemy invasions of Poland and France all showed clearly the grave danger to military operations caused by traffic congestion on main highways,” the Minister commented. “Mechanized warfare demands extreme mobility of movement and the ability to strike with lightning speed at any threatened point. “The functions of the new traffic section would be, first, to clear any routes of civil traffic to facilitate the passage of troops; second, to clear specific areas of all traffic if required by the military authorities, and third to control and direct traffic in the evacuation of the civil population. The force will be commanded by the Commissioner of Transport and traffic inspectors of the Transport Department will form the nucleus. Each inspector will be in charge of a district and will have under his control a number of men to be specially selected and trained. Without exception the Department’s inspectors have expressed their willingness to act as members of the Home Guard and train and organize their units which number approximately 50. “Emergency powers as traffic inspectors will be provided for the men selected and who will receive a distinctive badge of authority. Upon the issue of | the proclamation the traffic section will; be detailed to the special traffic work out-lined and will not become part of the army. Regarding cities and larger boroughs where efficient traffic control units already exist, it is hoped the local authorities themselves, will undertake this important work. My Department is communicating directly with them.” In conclusion Mr Semple said he felt sure the public generally would assist by recognizing the authority of the new appointees and facilitating the work in every way.