HOME GUARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 150, 28 June 1943, Page 4

HOME GUARD

REDUCTION IN PRESENT TRAINING REORGANISED DEFENCE SYSTEM (I’.A.) Wellington, June 26. Plans wliieli will result in a considerable reduction in New Zealand’s mobilised Army so that men will be made available for the expansion of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and also for release to war industries, were an. uouneed to-day by the Prime 'Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser. Another important feature of the plans is a substantial reduction in |- the present training of the Home Guard. Members of the Home Guard are to be allotted a reserve role and arc now to parade one day every quarter. The Prime Minister stated that War Cabinet, acting on the advice of the Chiefs of Staff, had decided on a reduction of the mobilised Army in New Zealand, and other adjustments in the Fighting Services to meet the changed situation in the Pacific. It. would be remembered that on May 20 and 21 Parliament had held a secret session, when the Dominion’s naval. Army, and Air Force commitments and activities, as well as civil defence and industrial requirements in relation to man and woman power, were fully discussed. “As regards home defence,” continued the Prime Minister, “War Cabinet has come to the conclusion that it is possible to readjust defence plans so that a considerable reduction can be made in the mobilised army, thus making available men required for the expansion of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and also allow the return of other men to industries connected with our war effort. "The Army reorganisation will provide a Territorial Army, a portion of which will be mobilised, this being essential for the manning of the coast and anti-aircraft artillery, the administration and training of the Territorial Army as a whole, and also for the proper care and maintenance of the large amount of war equipment, stores and transport vehicles. The remainder of the Territorial Force will be held on a non-mobilised basis, the personnel being required to perform training and be kept in a state of readiness for remobilisation should the necessity arise. "The personnel for the non-mobilia-ed portion of the Territorial Army will be drawn from men in the following classes:— “(al Single men and married men without children of medical grades I and II between the ages of IS and M inclusive. “(b) Married men with not more than three children, grades I and II between the ages of 18 and 30 inclusive. "In selecting these men regard will be paid to the. individual circumstances of each man, including particularly:— "(a) Availability for service In the event of emergency; “(b) Availability for withdrawal from industry for one month’s camp training per annum. “(e) Availability for periodical parades in view of hours worked, . location, etc. ‘On reaching the upper age limit for service in the Territorial Arms, men will be posted to the reserve and will not carry out any fulher training, unless such is subsequently prescribed, but tljey will ne liable to be called up for service on mobilisation or if liable for overseas service. "The annual obligatory training to be performed by non-mobilised personnel is to be one month in camp and two whole day parades each month. "Youths of 18 years of age becoming liable for service in non-mobilised units will be required to undergo one month's recruit training in camp before being posted to a unit. Those

who have completed ope month's camp training, or six months’ Home Guard service, or such service in a secondary school cadet unit considered as equivalent, to one month’s camp* training will be exempted from the month's recruit training.

"In order to maintain the mobilised section at full strength youths will ba called up for full-time home service on attaining the age of 20. . "Personnel required for overseas service will continue to be drawn from mon between the ages of 21 and . 40 inclusive, and all men within these 1 ages, whether mobilised or not, will be liable for overseas service. Those not mobilised will, of course, not be ordered into camp until they are made available to the Army by the National Service Department, i.e., after any Appeals have been disposed of. “It is considered that the military situation does not necessitate the present intensive training and degree of readiness of the Home Guard, and it is now possible to give considerable relief to this large body of men, who have been animated by a splendid spirit of service and have displayed great enthus'asm in their training. “It has therefore been decided that the Home Guard can now be allotted a reserve role as from July 1.

"In every respect the Home Guard will retain its identity and organisation. A reduced stay will be retained, and all uniforms, personal equipment, and rifles will remain on issue to the Home Guardsmen, so that units wilt be ready to resume full-scale training if this should be necessary. “Members of the Home Guard will he required to attend one compulsory full-day parade of six hours every quarter. "At these parades, rolls and equipment v.ill be inspected and dreckrit, the remainder of the time hdng devoted to tlie carrying out of an I annual musketry course. > "To encourage Home Guardsmen tx> improve their shooting an issue ot ammunition will be made to units for voluntary additional range practices. "Now that training has been reduced, it is desired that all anfte---especially in the cities and the larger towns—wilt continue active in the hvterests of the national war effort la such direction as may be required, from time to time, particularly in organised work for the production ot foodstuffs in the forthcoming season.”