200,000 ELIGIBLE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21303, 23 December 1940, Page 6

200,000 ELIGIBLE

HOME GUARD FIELD REVIEW OF RECRUITING IMPORTANT TASKS WAITING (By Telegrapn.—Special to Tlmea) WELLINGTON, Saturday Progress with recruiting for the Home Guard was referred to by the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple, in an address last night. He said he looked forward to the day early in the New Year when its membership would total 200,000. With this number of trained men as the country's second line of defence New Zealand would be able to meet any threat of invasion with confidence. “There are 300,000 men in New Zealand from 16 years of age upwards who are not eligible for service with the armed forces overseas,” said Mr Semple. “Some of these are physically unfit for parade-ground exercises, forming fours and route marches, but to them I would say there Is still a niche for them, either doing less exhausting outdoor work or carrying out the clerical duties associated with the organisation. They might also fill positions in the Emergency Precautions Scheme, which is the civil counterpart of the Home Guard. “Witfi the bringing up of our Territorial Forces, the National Military Reserve and the Mounted Rifle Squadrons to full establishment, a very considerable number of others is eliminated, but after making every possible allowance there still remains a potential field of 200,000 men eligible lor service in the Home Guard or the Emergency Precautions Scheme, and every one of them is wanted right now. One-quarter Of Field “So far the' enlistments in the Home Guard approximate one-quar-ter of the potential field, but with the division of New Zealand, into four principal districts, each with i its district commander, and 27 areas j with their separate area com- | manders, carefully selected and appointed, recruiting should go ahead rapidly. Naturally the functions of the Home Guard demand that those in charge should have had practical military experience and be prepared to make considerable personal sacrifice in carrying out their particular job.- In this connection I want to pay tribute to the response made by returned soldiers of the last World War who are giving their services so generously. That is because they know so well the dangers confronting us in our seeming isolation. “Since the last World War, distance has been conquered and no longer are we out of the danger zone. We are right in it, as witness the shipping losses we have experienced resulting from the actions of the enemy raiders that are at large in the southern seas. Therefore every man capable of doing his bit toward the defence of this wonderful little country should join up with the Home Guard whether or not he will later be called for overseas or territorial service. Types of Training “After collaboration with the Army authorities, the duties of the Home Guard have been formulated. Among other things, members will be trained to observe in the ordinary course of their occupation any unusual incident and give warning to the proper authority; they will be shown how to oppose enemy landings in areas not in actual occupation of the Army till arrival of Army units; they will be trained to construct movable obstacles to delay the advance of an enemy which may have effected a landing; and under the direction of the Army they may be called on to assist in carrying out demolitions and constructing permanent obstacles. “The Home Guard will also undertake the guarding of vital points under conditions of emergency, and units throughout the Dominion must be trained to do this work and the general establishment so organised as to ensure the proper disposition of units to provide full protection to the vital points selected. Result In Short Time “For the short time the movement has been in existence, and in view of the ground that had to be covered, the recruiting has been good, but so good as it might have been,” said Mr Semple. “Not long before the Home Guard was brought into being, thousands and thousands of people were clamouring for the Government to find channels into which they could direct their surplus energies—something that would fit them for the defence of the country should the need arise. The channel has been provided and it now remains for them to fill it to overflowing. I do, however, look forward to the day early in the New Year when the membership of the Home Guard will stand at 100,000, then 150,000, then 200,000.”