THE HOME GUARD

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21217, 13 September 1940, Page 7

THE HOME GUARD

(To the Editor.) Sir.—On Tuesday I listened to a really amazing talk by the Minister of National Service, addressed to representatives of all local bodies in the Waikato. The brains of the countryside from as far distant as Matamata and Kawhia assembled at the council chambers to hear all about the Home Guard. All came by car, so the total benzine consumption must have been great. We heard mainly the story of Mr Semple’s life, how he saved New Zealand by introducing the modem caterpillar dirt-moving machinery to New Zealand (incidentally, the man who really did introduce it, Mr Fred Butler, of Hamilton, was noticed imperturbably sitting in the audience), how he had done away with the shovel and the wheelbarrow, how he had made 99 aerodromes in all parts of the country, and in general, what an able man he really was. He had learnt from the lessons this war had already taught that Hitler had conquered several countries so far by the free use of the engineering brains and experience of his countrymen. In fact, it was an engineer’;; war. We in New Zealand would meet the situation by forming a Home Guard, the organisation of which would be based on the old military idea and the engineer again side-tracked. Of course, it was to be non-political, and no electioneering stunts would be permitted from the head down. The existing local bodies, he said, were the right people to handle such an organisation and he had therefore appointed an eminent general to take charge of it, and leaders and organisers would be appointed in every district

What happens to the local bodies is not quite clear. The members of th* Home Guard would give their service free, sign the oath of allegiance and service and guarantee to make no claim if they were injured in any way. Their principal training would be physical jerks. Beyond this we learnt very little, and those who came from 50 or 60 miles must have gone home bubbling over with enthusiasm. Contrast this effort with the cabled reports of the Home Guard effort in England, where every week-end at Bisley some 5000 members train m shooting and every range of the National Rifle Association is similarly occupied. The excellent supper provided by His Worship the Mayor was the only bright spot in the evening. He must have known what was coming.—1 am, etc., AJAX. Hamilton, September 12.