The Bay of plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1942 BALLOTS AND HOME GUARD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 30, 18 March 1942, Page 4

The Bay of plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1942 BALLOTS AND HOME GUARD

WITH each release of a further military ballot, a certain number of men, most of them of the fit, vital type so necessary for the building up of endurance and morale, are drawn away from the ranks of the Home Guard. The last ballot was felt to a greater extent than.any before, and the pending one on. Wednesday will be drastic. If there are to be subsequent ballots (and we understand, that there will) it j ppears very obvious that the Guard will be quickly reducduced to disappearing point. This is a highly dangerous thing, if, as we have been informed that the Guard is recognised, as the 'first line of static defence against a possible invasion.' Apart from the dislocation of industry which , must follow the calling up of successive groups, and the heavy financial responsibility on the Government by the: number of familied men, there is the strategic weakness iof wiping out a garrison force with units spread all over the Dominion. As such, they are available and on the spot to meet with and deal (temporarily at any rate) with any emergency irrespective of where the enemy might endeavour to land. Draw repeatedly on their personnel and they become immobilised and useless as a cushion force to take the first weight of attack. If for instance all the fit fighting men were drawn into the army, they would be established in large military camps in various parts of the country. In the event of an attack not actually in the vicinity of a camp, the enemy, without opposition could readily become consolidated, to some extent at least, before the defending forccs could be rushed to the landing point. This is what would happen if the Home Guard were obliterated. As it stands now, New Zealand is ringed with a volunteer garrison force, each unit of Avhich is responsible for the defence of its own native vicinity. Its local knowledge would be far superior to that of an armed force hurriedly rushed to the scene where the enemy were already entrenched. Numerically small though it might be it could at least be depended upon to hold up the atta.ck for even, a short space,, and those hours may prove vital in the long run. It would appear therefore, that the retention of the Home Guard at its present strength was not merely strategically sound, but economically and industrially vital to the welfare of the country. By increasing the number of parades and instructional nights the standard of efficiency could also be brought up to the standard required by the military authorities if it was considered that this was lacking under the present circumstances. THIS YEAR'S MAIZE YIELD AN advertisement in last issue, recalls the Government s promise to district maize growers to utilise the whole of last year's crop, and to ensure that the cribs were emptied before next season's yield was ready for harvesting'. The same problem which caused such a stir last Autumn is not likely to recur this year owing to the fact that the crop is just half the size; but the fact remains that stored in cribs throughout the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne areas there is nci less than 60,,000 sacks awaiting absorption. The labour of shelling presents a difficulty in itself, for unless the relieving action, is prompt, the shelling process is likely to extend the cribbage period to a point which will foul the gathering of the new season's maize. It is to avoid this clash that the present details are sought by the Marketing Department. In passing it is worthy of note, that though the same labour trouble is not anticipated this year, owing to the shrinkage of the crop, it must not be forgotten that the labour available will also, have diminished owing to the calls made by the military authorities and the growing duties imposed by defence and emergency organisations. It is fairly safe to say however that there will be no repetition of the fiasco which focussed so much attention on our d.istrict last year. ACTION AT LAST THE firm methods adopted by the Government in dealing with the Westfield strike, will meet with the warmest endorsement by all sections of the community. Here is action :it long last, and even those who have been in sympathy with the Union movement, will join in condemning the latest and, perhaps the most flagrant of industrial hold-ups, during this time of crisis. Like Germany, the policy of appeasement has been found abortive and only a complete 'show-down' remained. The bluff has been called and the minds of all decent people will mentally applaud the abrupt completeness of the measures taken to do it.

St. Pat's Day Yesterday was Si. Pnlriek'.s ]);iy. For the fir.si ih'.ie on record the Banks did not observe ( a holiday. Another injustice to Old Ireland? Oh no, just the efleet of the wartime regulation that saints' days shall no longer be bank holidays.

Assistance to Soldiers A number of men who are in camps or who are being; posted tei different units do not seem to be aware that they may apply lor linancial nssitanee if they require, it. They jhould apply through their units to the Financial Assistance Board, and eai'li ease will be treated on its mcr-