HOME GUARD RE-ORGANISATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 162, 1 October 1941, Page 4

HOME GUARD RE-ORGANISATION

THOUGH as yet there has been no official statement as to just how the new status of the Home Guard (under Military control) will affect the local units, it is understood that the result in the near future will be revolutionary. There have, unfortunately been many unjust criticisms levelled at the organisation and its method of training, and in the interests of those who gratuitously carry out its control an,d attend to the hundred and, one details of its organisation we feel that something must be said of its achievements over a very limited period and in the face of difficulties which if they were made public would stagger even the average member in its ranks. As far as has been possible to carry out the training of the local platoons this work has: been done, and done thoroughly! The headquarters office, now a well-known landmark has acted as a nerve centre which has earned the highest praise from visiting officers for its efficiency and completeness. All the work is voluntary; farmers, businessmen and others giving liberally of their time and substance in order that the movement shall be and flourish. Three and four nights a week are often c\evoted to the work until now with all departments tabulated, units indexed and members listed the whole is ready to hand over to the new military control. Members are therefore asked to stay their criticism and to give their cio-operation to the full in order that the regime, when once it is launched will proceed smoothly and to plan, attended by the same spirit of enthusiasm which played such a big part when the Home Guard was originally mooted.