THE HOME GUARD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 299, 30 April 1941, Page 4

THE HOME GUARD

THE recent discussion at the County Council table relative to the exclusion of certain fa,r distant districts from the Whakatane command, is rather unfortunate, in that it constitutes the only incident that has occurred to mar + he enthusiasm and the progress of the local organisation. With over a thousand men enrolled and training proceeding: ahead, the exclusion of Galatea, Te Whaiti and Ruatahuna, came as something of a surprise. This subject will however find its own explanation when investigated by the Command executive, but- we were arrested .by the strong attitude taken up by Cr McCready, who openly criticised the Government for stinting the movement financially. Granted, that since the meeting the impressment of .303 rifles has been announced, but we feel convinced that had Cr McCready's strongly worded sentiments been followed up and represented to the >uthorities, they would have at least brought about a much needed showdown.' There is no denying that the key to the whole situation lies in the release of finance. Ninety per cent of the present difficulties would be overcome if money could be made available for the purposes of transport, equipment and training. To foist this responsibility upon the hard-pressed local bodies at this juncture, is to our minds unfair and unjustified.