SAFEGUARDING THE DOMINION

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22202, 20 February 1942, Page 6

SAFEGUARDING THE DOMINION

Steps Outlined To War Council DISCHARGE OF HOME GUARD DUTIES (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Feb. 19. A statement indicating the position of the Dominion in relation to tne development of the war situation in the Pacific was given to the War Council at a meeting held to-day, said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. FUaser) in a statement to-night. The Council was also Informed of the more important decisions which have been taken by the War Cabinet since its last meeting, and was advised of the representations which have been made to the United Kingdom Government and through the United Kingdom to the United States Government regarding the position. A full survey of the petrol situation was made by the Minister of Supply, and details were given of the policy of the Government in regard to building up reserve supplies. When the council met in the afternoon consideration was given to reports submitted by the Defence and Military Affairs and Secondary Industries Committees. The Council discussed the question of forming a Maori battalion for home defence. A recommendation on this matter has been submitted for the consideration of the War Cabinet. The desirability of passing regulations to ensure that all members of the Home Guard discharge their duties and provide adequate personnel for home guard units, as is done in the case of the Emergency Reserve Corps, was discussed. Consideration was also given to the addition of certain further industries to the schedule of “Essential Industries”, the remuneration to be paid to persons directed into essential work and the procedure to be followed in directing them into work of this character and many other questions of an important nature. Recommendations on the questions mentioned above and other matters discussed by the council have been submitted for consideration of the War Cabinet.