A DEFINITE MOVE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 240, 20 November 1940, Page 5

A DEFINITE MOVE

HOME GUARD MOVEMENT IN 1 THE BOROUGH RECRUITING WEEK PLANNED

The major decision reached at the initial meeting of the Wharkatane Borough Home Guard committee, held last night, was that promoting a 'recruiting week.' This decision marks a d<e finite move in the establishment of the scheme in Whakatane anrl f should do much to arouse the enthusiasm dampened by re peated shuffling, procrastination!, and the vagueness and uncertainty which has characte'rised the scheme hitherto. The committee comprised Messrs B. S. Barry and S. S. _ Shapley (Borough Council), F. W, K. Raymond and Ij. B. Savage (R.S.A.), C. H. Christensen and G. W. Clark (Trades Unions), W. Sullivan and A. Bridger (Chamber of Commerce) and D. V. Saunders, secretary.

The convenor, Mr Barry, said the committee was formed for the purpose of organising the movement in the borough. If the committee saw fit at a later date, it could co-oper-ate with the county committee. On Mr Barry's motion Mr L. Bf. Savage was elected chairman, other appointments made including Mr D. V. Saunders as secretary and Mr G, Usher as assistant-secretary. Recruiting Week Mr Savage said that the most immediate task was the enrolment of the borough's quota and the committee decided to open a 'recruiting office at the Borough reading room. This office will be open next Friday evening between the hours of 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., with committee members in attendance On Satur- j day morning the hours will be from 10 a.m. till 12 o'clock noon. As Monday will be observed as the King's Birthday the office will not be open on that day but Tuesday., Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will see the quoted hours applying* It is to be noted that enrolment forms are procurable also from the committee members and from the BEACON Office. * It is also pointed out that this office and the committee meu named above will receive com« pleted forms from those desiring to join the guard. Training will, commence in the near future.

meeting of county representatives

formation urgency stressed a meeting of county councillors, Farmers' Union and- R.S.A. representatives was held yesterday to consider the formation of a central Home Guard com-! mitt<ee. District meetings! will be held at Matata, Edgecumbe, Taneatua, Waimana and Galatea within the next fortnight, the first meeting of the central committee being scheduled for Tues day, December 3, at 8 p.m. J When it was suggested that the dtate should be fixed at Decem-i ber 17, it was pointed out by Mr Eivers (Te Teko) that if the matter was oif the urgency stress ed the suggested date was too distant—time would be wasted. In this be was strongly supported by other speakers. Mr J. L. Burnett, who presided., said that in the quartering and canvassing of the county it was essential that every prospective guardsman should be contacted. There 1 was no need for him to emphasise how imperative was the immediate formation of the guard, said Mr Burnett.

Vital Necessity. Much had been made of the shortage of equipment, the chairman continued, but those who had heard Major-General Young's speech on the occasion of his recent visit to Whakatane would appreciate the position. Other work could be done however, such as taking inventories of available and serviceable motor vehicles, horses and arms, etc. I hat organisation and preparedness was vitally neccssary for a state of emergency. As far as the training was concerned, Major-General Young had said that there would be nothing arduous about it; it would be made as interesting as possible.

At a rfccent conference ill Rotorua it had been decided to divide the enrolled .men into three classes. The first would comprise physically lit men between the ages of 16 and 30 years; the second, physically fit men over the age ol' 30, and the third, men of, that age who were not lit.

Concluding, Mr Burnett said that the clause requiring men to accept their own liability for accidents while serving with the guard had been deleted from the synopsis and enrolment form and the Government now accepted full responsibility in the event of accident. A Contention. After Mr F. W. K. Raymond had stated that the movement could only be a siuccess by the backing

of everyone,- and had inter alia, that Major-General Young, in confidence, had stated that the posi-

tion AA r as serious, Mr Eivers rose with the contention that the posi-

tion could not be so serious Avlien available privately-owned rifles Ave re. not commandeered by the Government for Home Guard training.

Furtlier,, said Mr Eivers, there Avas a Avastage of cartridges which could be seen anywhere at any time. It AA T aa nonsense, he said, to be told that, ammunition was not available when he could go outside the room and purchase it. In this Mr Eivers Avas supported by seA r eral speakers. Mr Burnett made it clear that a committee had to be formed, and men enrolled, before the support ot the authorities Avas forthcoming. "If the effort is stultified then," the chairman said, "we Avill know 7 whatcourse of action to take.'" At the conclusion of the meeting the chairman expressed .thanks to those priesent for their attendance. The enthusiastic spirit Avas a very good start, he said, and Avliere there Avas a Avill anything could be done.