Poor Home Guard Attendances

Southland Times, Issue 24547, 23 September 1941, Page 4

Poor Home Guard Attendances

RECENT attendances at the weekly parades of the Home Guard in Invercargill have shown a marked decline. To a certain extent this may be a result of the reorganization, which created an impression that members of the second division were to have no serious function in the new defence system. Actually both divisions are being trained in accordance with the one syllabus, although naturally the first division is receiving priority in the distribution of equipment. But the poor attendances affect almost every company in the battalion: it is necessary to look further for the real causes. The complaint, heard frequently a few months ago, that training was made ineffectual by the lack of equipment, can no longer be justified. Although there are gaps and discrepancies, the necessary material is rapidly becoming available. If there have been delays in the past it is doubly necessary to make up for lost time now that the early difficulties have been overcome. One reason for the contagion of apathy may be a widespread belief that the worst days of the war are over. Too many persons adopted the theory that Russia would win the Empire’s battles. It was a little too easy to believe that, while the German and the Soviet armies were at death grips in the east, the need for preparedness in New Zealand had automatically vanished. The fall of Kiev should do something to destroy a dangerous illusion. In sober truth the position in Russia is not encouraging. The Germans have paid heavily for their ' successes; but the fact remains that they are slowly reaching their objectives. And it should be realized that every new advance by the enemy brings nearer the possibility of Japanese intervention. Japan is known to have stationed large forces on the Siberian frontier. If she attacked Russia from the east she might at once become involved in war with the democracies, and war with Japan means danger in the Pacific. These are not certainties: they are merely possible developments in a situation clearly outlined by the war news. But in war time it is madness to gamble with national security. Defence preparations should be based on the assumption that things will go badly. Optimism is a tonic influence when the fight is on: it is sadly enervating during the colourless period of preparation. The Home Guard may never be called upon to go into action. But if the

need arises it must be ready to play its part worthily as the country’s first line of defence. Only constant training will fit it for this vitally important task. Guardsmen who have lost interest should remember that they are leaving gaps in their country’s defences.