PETROL NEEDED FOR HOME GUARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 283, 1 December 1941, Page 6

PETROL NEEDED FOR HOME GUARD

ESSENTIAL FOR TRAINING OPINIONS OF AUCKLAND GROUP CONFERENCE (Press Assn.) Auckland. Nov. 30. The opinion that it would be impossible to carry out the required training unless the minimum amount of benzine necessary was provided, was expressed at a conference of Home Guard group directors of the Northern Military District which was held in Auckland to-day at the request of the district director. Colonel Aldred It was held by the group directors that the defence of the country should b" one of the last things affected by th? petrol restrictions. Country directors emphasised that the effect of the restrictions was necessarily greater on country units than on town formations, where shorter distances had to be travelled to training parades. Another matter which was reported to be worrying Home Guardsmen war •he question of the accident liability of owner-drivers who took other Guardsmen to parades. It was decided to make strong representations to obtain an indemnity for drivers e.gainst accident risk to their passengers. This question was also stated to be affecting ih? parade strengths. It was stated that, since the arrival of good supplies of arms and ammunition. attendances throughout th" groups had improved. Colonel Aldred stated later that sufficient arms and equipment were now* on hand to carry out the prescribed training, and they were being distributed evenly to all units. The conference also supported the principle that compulsory universal service should be introduced In Ne\ Zealand. It was explained that this would mean that every person would have a job allotted to him. whether in the Territorial Force. Home Guard. Emergency Precautions Service or other defence organisation, and would ’be required to fill it.