EX-SERVICEMEN READY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20027, 28 August 1939, Page 4

EX-SERVICEMEN READY

AUCKLAND GUARD DUTIES ANTI-SABOTAGE UNIT (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Equipped with uniforms, rifles and other gear, 180 ex-servicemen in Auckland are now ready, should the occasion arise, to undertake guard duty as a special anti-sabotage force at selected vital points in the city and its surroundings. As members of th e National Military Reserve they have accepted duty at the call of the authorities without question. They do not know what pay they will be given, nor have they raised the issue. If the order should come, they will leave their homes and occupations and go to their stations. Nearly CO of these men had been training" as members of anti-aircraft and light machir.e-gun detachment, but they transferred to the antisabblage force or. Friday evening when volunteers were called for guard service.

Members of th» Special Military Reserve formed recently in New Zealand are being called upon in the main centres for guard duties during the currency of the international crisis. No such call is being made in Gisborne as yet, and territorial units are not being called up for the present, according to information elicited ly the Herald to-day. The possibility of guards being put upon waterworks, rail and traffic bridges and especially upon the headquarters of the Waikaremoana hydro-electric scheme at Tuai has been discussed among members of tlic reserve.