RIFLEMEN’S PART

Evening Star, Issue 23686, 20 September 1940, Page 12

RIFLEMEN’S PART

' HOME GUARD UNIT PRINCIPLE STRONGLY SUPPORTED •Rifle clubs of Dunedin were strongly represented at a meeting called last night to investigate the chance,s "of forming a mobile unit of the Homo Guard. This unit, it was explained, would bo held in readiness so that it might be rushed to any danger point whore invasion threatened. Composed of good shots, it would bo able to harass auy invading forces considerably until such time as the main body of the defending forces arrived on the scene. Mr .10. R. .Smith, who presided, said that tho subject had originally been raised fully a year ago. General Young, a few days ago, had been waited on by a deputation, and he had stated that the unit would be formed, and that it would be attached to the Homo Defence under their commanding officer. Certain members would not be eligible —those who were in tho National Reserve, the Territorials, or the First Division of the General Reserve, the principle being that a man could not servo in two places. On the other band, the membership would not nccessarily be confined to club members. Riflemen generally would be admitted. Mr H. ,7. Whitehead said that the idea was the formation of a body a.s la rite as possible with in a few days.

This boclj' would be relied on in case of a forced landing near at hand. In answer to a question he said that members of the rifle clubs would form distinct units, under military control, Tho meeting supported a motion giving whole-hearted support to the idea "of forming a unit of the Home Guard. An adjournment was called for a few days until such time as enrolment forms and additional information came to hand. Mr E. 11. Smith was appointed delegate to the Home Guard Committee, which will be presided over by the mayor. Authority was given Air W. J. Ford to organise the, clubs in ihe North Otago district in a similar fashion.