HOME GUARD

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4559, 13 April 1942, Page 4

HOME GUARD

COMPULSORY SERVICE PENALTIES FOR ABSENCE Following the War Cabinet’s decision to make enrolment and training in the Home Guard compulsory it has been decided, according to an official statement issued at Wellington on Saturday, that the minimum amount of training required by members of the Home Guard will be as follows: 1. By members of the first division and by vouths between 16 and 18 who are in division 11. : 24 hours monthly. 2. By all other members of division 11. such training (not less than eight hours monthly) as may be prescribed by battalion commanders to fit members for such duties as they may be required to perform. Division I. men are over 18, physically fit and serving in units allotted op erational roles, while division 11. men consist of all other members of the Home Guard, including youths between 16 and 18 years. The Minister explained that the difference in training between division I. and 11. men was that the first division were required to be trained to the standard of fighting soldiers. He added that members who absented themselves from parades without leave would be liable to prosecution and a penalty of up to three months’ imprisonment or a fine not exceeding £25, with a further £5 for every day the offence continued. Mr Jones said most of the Horn* Guard had been performing a great deal more training than the minimum now prescribed and he hoped such intensive training would continue.