Reasons For A Revival Of The Home Guard

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 November 1950, Page 5

Reasons For A Revival Of The Home Guard

LONDON, Nov. 19.—The Minister of Defence (Mr. Shinwell), amplifying his House of Commons announcement that the Government intended to revive the Home Guard, “when an actual emergency arises,” said that at present he really was more concerned about obtaining volunteers for civil defence.

He assured prospective volunteers Guard members would get by joining ed the civil defence units now they could transfer to the Guard freely if and when it was re-established.

"The training which potential Home Guard members would bet by joining the civil defence, or special constabulary, would be of considerable value if they later wish to join the Home Guard," Mr. Shinwell added. The “Daily Mail” says the war office is planning a well-armed home guard of nearly 2,000,000 men, which could be formed into an efficient Defence Force within one month of war. “Weapons, ammunitions, uniforms and equipment will soon be moved from central storage depots to local dumps, where they will be immediately available,” says the paper. According to the “Daily Express" it is expected that the Government will shortly place an order for 15,000 atom ray detectors for issue to servicemen and civil defence workers undergoing training. "Detectors are called dosimeters and are shaped like a fountain pen,’ says the “Express.” “Each embodies a miscroscope and tiny fragment of quartz fibre. It measures rays given off by radio-active material.” A Washington message says that every American serviceman will be equipped with an American version of the dosimeter. This contains a microscopically small “camera,” which registers the strength of gamma rays —danger rays given off after an atom explosion—and is made to be worn round the neck, like an identity disc. —Special N.Z.P.A. Correspondent.