SYNOPSIS OF SCHEME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 205, 28 August 1940, Page 5

SYNOPSIS OF SCHEME

HOME GUARD OF NEW ZEALAND CLAUSES AND CONDITIONS The following clauses outline the Government's Home Guard scheme: 1. To have the available man-pow-er of the country organised (before the emergency arises) to deal with any national emergency, such as earthquake, flood;, invasion, air raid, or attack, &c. 2. To have a reasonably trained and fully organised body of men immediately available and -standing right up in support of the armed Forces i 3. To form a Reserve from which men can be drawn for the armed Forces. 4. To provide an' outlet for the latent energy and urge to do something physical and tangible in the war effort. 5. To exercise effective Government control over the movement and avoid sporadic and irresponsible growths. 6. To exercise a wholesome restraint upon the starting or spreading of rumours or canards. Who May Join 7. For active training, all men over sixteen years of age, of British birth, who are reasonably fit, are able and willing to train, and are not actively attached to the armed Forces.. 8. For lighter duties, those desiring to act in a supernumerary capacity not involving heavy physical work. Conditions of Service 9. Voluntary and unpaid, and all must accept their own liability for any disability that may arise, or be aggravated, through such service. 10. Where members' vehicles, horses, or goods, -&c., are used in the service of the Guard*, no payment will be made therefor. 11. All must carry out the requirjed training at own expenses.and con [form to the discipline laid down. t 12. Where the"' Governor-General thinks the circumstances warrant it, he may issue a Proclamation and embody the whole or any part of the Guard' I 'in the Defence Forces under the Defence Act, 1909, and those affected at once become soldiers under the control of the Army, with pay, equipment, &c., as in the Army. (This would not apply to supernumeraries" as in paragraph 8) 13. Whilst In the Guard, men are still liable for military service, overseas or homey in terms of the National Service Regulations—that is, they are available for the ballot, but may continue in the Guard until called up to camp.

14. An oath of allegiance must be taken on joining, to serve not only in the Guard!, but in the Defence Forces it the Guard should come under Proclamation as in para graph 12. (This is to avoid delay in such circumstances). 15. Reasonable facilities will be allowed for transfer between units for those who move their residence from one part of the" country to another. Uniform,,and Equipment IG. Uniform will not be issued,, but a brassard or armlet will, to be worn on the left arm when on dluty. 17. Authority may be given for units to wear any approved special dress, so long as it is no't a charge on Government moneys. .18. Arms or equipment will not be issued. 19. Arrangements will be made for distinguishing badges of rank. Training 20. To cover training, drill, signalling and messages, scout ihg and guard work, road blocking and clearing, transport and "supply, field exercises, lectures, and any other phases that may be laid down. 21. Training will be arranged for evenings or at week-ends, to; suit local conditions where possible. 22. Selected personnel may be giv°n the opportunity of a refresher course by the Army so that they can instruct others. 23. Special parades may be arrang ed. for suitable occasions. 24. "Try outs" or alarms may be practised so that members may learn their emergency jobs. Names and Titles 25. Individuals termed "Yeomen." Approximately— 32 Yeomen equals a Unit (Unit Commander) 4 Units equals a Company (Company Commander). 4 Companies equals a Group (Group Commander). The Groups in an area equals an" Array (Area Commander).

Assistant Commanders and other officers where necessary, also iother ranks carding same titles as in the Army, such as Sergeant-Major, Sergeant, &c. Control and Responsibility 26. The whole Force under control of the Minister of National Service, through the Department of National Service in Wellington. 27. A Dominion Commander in ' Wellington, a District Commander each in Northern (Auckland), Gen-* tral (Wellington), and Southern. (Ghristchurch) Districts; an Area Commander in each Area, and so down through each subdivision. " 28. Local Home Guard Commit-* tees and sub-committees established where necessary in each area, with special duty of enrolling Yeomen, allotting them to duties in conjunction with established Emergency Precautions Scheme, selecting certain Commanders, andi fostering the scheme generally. 29. To do this, Local Committees may organise specialist units or com panies, such as transport drivers (with or without vehicles), boat-*- . men, timber workers, horsemen, &c. .to assist Army authorities if required; and particularly to fit in witln Hie Emergency Precautions Schcme m the locality • -