JUST WHAT DOES IT MEAN ?

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 36, 1 April 1942, Page 4

JUST WHAT DOES IT MEAN ?

THE announcement by the Minister of National Service (Hon. R. Semple) that service in the Home Guard shall henceforth be made compulsory, makes a perplexed people hasard the query—what next? If this has a sarcastic ring we can assure our readers that it is entirely unintentional. But with so many being called to the colours and enrolled in the regular army; with a further ballot pending and the oft repeated hint from Army Headquarters that all fit men must train; we remain in a complete quandary as to whether the Home Guard is to remain as the means for military training or whether it is to be slowly sapped of its strength by the legitimate army. Many who are standing on the verge of a, military life (i.e. those who are eligible for inclusion jn the next ballet) are questioning the advisability of settling their affairs in anticipation of such a necessity arising or of retaining their interests as a permanent member of the Home Guard. If membership and training in the Guaxd is to be made compulsory then one would scarcely think the measure necessary unless the organisation was to be given a solid and permanent footing. The next ballot as everyone realises will have a far more disruptive effect upon industry and commerce than any preceeding it and as the BEACON pointed out some weeks ago the retention of the Home Guard together with an intensified training scheme would be a far better undertaking from an economic, industrial and defensive point of view. A little amplification of the Minister's plans would be most helpful at the present time to those who are at the cross roads.