HOME GUARD SERVICE

Chronicle (Levin), 24 July 1947, Page 7

HOME GUARD SERVICE

■press Association

• ♦ — GOVERNMENT CONSIDERING RECOGNITION

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, WELLINGTON, Juiy 23. In the Honse of Bepresentatives Hon F. Jones, answering Mr. W. H. Fortune (Eden) said the Government was at present considering the manner ni vvhicli tangible recognition might besi be given members of the Home Guard and other part-time services during the war and it was hoped to announce u decision shortly. Mr. Fortune said the Governmem should give them a little more than li]i service. He had heard it suggeste] that the song of the Home Guardsmen should be ' ' Legion of the Lost Are We". Mr. W. II. Gillespie (Hurunui) de scribed the matter as "a burning question" and appealed to the Govern ment to give Home Guardsmen a ribboii in recognition of their services. "The majority of them have served in forceselsewhere and would be proud to weai sueh a ribbon, " he said.* ' Mr. P. G. Connollv (Dunedin Cen tral) said the Government 's decision would be made known at an early date. He would also give a medal to farmers wives, nurses, worlcers in munitiou factories and on the waterfronts. Mr. Fraser regretted that thc Minister of Defence was not present but if he was, the Minister would be pleased to state that the matter raised was well in hand. The question whethei everybodv who helped in the defenee of the country one way or another, should have their services recognised. was a prettv wide one. He thougli th idea was to recognise servi-ces of the Home Guard by a medal. Recognitioi of those who served would be as wide as possible and would include widow ers in addition to inothers, wives an widows of those who lost their lives i: the war. Mr. T. L. Macdonald (Wallace) sau great sacrifices had lieen made _ b\ '.lorne Guardsmen who trained to maki themselves fit for anything that might come along. Their services should bi recoguised.