THE HOME GUARD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 232, 1 November 1940, Page 5

THE HOME GUARD

HON. R. SEMPLE'S VISIT ADDRESS NEXT WEEK True to his promise made to a meeting of those interested in the Home Guard movement, in Whakatane some ,time ago, the Hon. R. Semple will visit this town on Tuesday next according to information received from Mr F. W. Doidge, M.P., by the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, yesterday. It is understood that the Minister will address a further meeting on the same subject which he will enlarge upon and give details as to the progressive policy of training to be adopted. WHEN BEACONS BLAZED HOME GUARD IN 1588 THREAT OF THE ARMADA A Thornton resident with some gard for the name of Whakatane's local paper has written in pointing out that in 1588 England under the threat of the Spanish Armada created her first' 'Home Guard.' How every Englishman did his bit for Good Queen Bess 352 years ago, just as the people of Great Britain aic doing again to-day is narated vividly in Macaulay's great dramatic poem 'The Armada,' which most of us will recollect from our school day lessons. ■ The writer with some natural reserve points out further, that as the paper is the only BEA,CO'N in the Bay of Plenty it is worth noting that in iSBB they were apparently legion in England and played their part in passing, on the news of the Spanish Fleet's arrival. Naively enough we appreciate the compliment, but at the same time trust that we .will never be. the means of passing on the news of the arrival of a hostile fleet off Ohope.