NOT WANTED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 46, 29 April 1942, Page 2

NOT WANTED

FARMERS' OFFER TURNED DOWN AUCKLAND TIN!OX'S . GENEROUS GESTURE '•The military response to our offer of assistance mav be summarised thus: This is our war and we don't want anyone e!s« butting in." This was Hie report given to members of the Auckland Farmers Union by the president. Captain 11. M. Rushworth, at last Execnt've meeting. Tt Avas explained that the executive, concerned at the apparent failure of the authorities to fully prepare the country's defences, particularly in reference to Home Guard activities, had offered to the Government the services of the Union through its organisers and its 200 branches covering the whole of the Auckland Province. The offer included the personal services of the oresident, who in agreeing to the request, - had stipulated that he should receive no payment or allowance. The letter stated:- — The direction in which Captain Rushworth's services can best be utilised aonears to us to be in assistance with the organisation of tlje Rome Guard and the cultivation of f-ho offensive spirit combined Avith fin appreciation of the dual function reouired from that body in coastal defence and guerilla warfare nnd further the organisation of supplies of such offensive weapons and materials as may be available. Prime Minister Impressed Following UDon the receipt of this offer the Prime Minister met the Chairman and Secretary of the Union in Au?k!and. National defence was freely discussed and INI." Fras"r displayed a friendly spirit towards the Union, which he declared was one of the most stable and most useful organisations in the Dominion. He said he was heartily in favour of accepting the Union's offer, and would place it before the War Cabfnet and arrange for an interview with General Puttick. Subsequently the Union was informed that General Putt'ck had left Auckland before it was possible to arrange the interview, and its representatives were asked to met Brigadier Bell, the officer in charge o,f the Auckland district, instead. Interview with Brigadier Bell At this meeting Captain Rushworth expressed the alarm of members of the rural community at weaknesses in the arrangements for defence, and detailed various aspects which called for ijrgent attention. He asked whether the Home Guard was a serious factor in defence. Brigadier Bell replied that the arrangements to ration, provision and munition the Home Guard had been made. The Home, Guard was under Army control and was certainly a vital factor in operations, its duty being to delay an enemj r until mobile troops: could engage him. Arms and ammunition were rapidly coming to hand. Shot guns and ammunition he exnected General Puttick would arrange to he manufactured on his return to Wellington—-also shotguns would be impressed. Uniforms would be turned out more rapidly due to a change in materials and the cessation of supplies to Malaya and India. Tt was nobody's fault that arms and ammunition were short,, but the position was; much improved and becoming more so. Mortars and grenades were increasing.

Brigadier Bel] a.sited Captain Rushworth what it -was proposed the Union should do, and Captain Rushworth replied that Brigadier Bell had covered all the ground and had assured him that everything was provided for. Brigadier Bell replied that he could see only the provision of barbed wire, and the Farmers' Union was getting large quantities of this, at which he expressed pleasure. Union Goes Further In the discussion that followed litis report members expressed regret at the reception accorded the Union's offer and it was unanimously decided to make further representations to the Government, and the following letter was despatched to the Prime Minister:— "The Auckland Provincial Executive <)' the New Zealand Farmers' Union, having heard from Captain H. M. Rusiiworth a report of his meeting with you, and subsequently with Brigadier Bell, is unanimous in presenting to you representations made hereunder. * "The net result of the conference with Brigadier Bell appears to be that the onlj r scope for assistance by our organisation is considered by him to be the collection of barbed

wire. The executive is regretfully unable to accept tills as the full mca.-aire of Its activities in defence, fts members have an intimate knowledge of the problems of the Home Guard, and think that they can assist in them if allowed to. Question of Munitions As a force intended for delaying action and harassing the enemy, the Home Guard would be called upon to cheek the spearhead oi an enemy advance, probably composed of light armoured vehicles. It has no effective weapon for tins purpose, rifle-fire or light bombs being proved ineffective. There is evidence that a heavy grenade containing 1 to of explosive is a most effective weapon for this purpose. This could be made by small foundries and machine-shops, and the farmers' Union wouxl be willing to undertake collection of scrap metal for the purpose if required. We request that this matter be put in hand. We understand that materials such as nitrates ami suiphur are available that nvght be used for explosives . We ask that investigations into the possibilities of using these be made. Captain Rushworth'fe Services Since supply is such a crucial matter to the Home Guard, and since there is a feeling that more could be done to expedite this and cut red tape, my executive respectfully suggests that Captain Rushworth could best be employed in this connection J We fee; that apart from the undoubted service he could render, Ills appointment with sufficient authority to get results, would have a beneficial moral effect on the Home Guard, -which now feels that it is but a "poor relation of the Army, whose needs are being considered Inst." We urge that apart from use of shot guns owned by members of the Home Guard, all other shot guns, particularly in towns, should be impressed and issued to the Home Guard. Further, that shot gun cartridges, loaded with flanged bullet, be manufactured at once, or alternatively that shot gun ammunition be issued to the' Home Guard to be loaded with flanged bullets made by them. Home Guard and E.P.S. In the opinion of the executive the relative assistance being given to the E.P.S. as against the Home Guard is altogether disproportionate. We believe our best protection against invasion is the largest possible force of trained and equipped fighting men, and that the needs of such should take precedence over any purely defensive organisation such as the E.P.S. We suggest that the emphasis cn these two organisations should be' reversed, and shou'd be "fighting men first."