HOME GUARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24422, 7 October 1940, Page 5

HOME GUARD

YOUTHS FROM SIXTEEN MAY JOIN AREAS AND SUB-AREAS ORGANISATION NEARLY COMPLETED To-day Lieutenant-colonel A. S. Bruce Smith, district commander of the Home Guard, will leave for Central Otago, where he will complete the preliminary arrangements for the organisation of the Home Guard so far as his district is concerned. Lieutenantcolonel Smith has already visited the other localities in his -particular area. There ai’e five areas in this district, which extends from the Waitakj River to Stewart Island Lieutenant-colonel Smith speaks in appreciative terms of the assistance and co-operation he has received from mayors, town clerks, local authorities, members of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and business men generally. Everywhere he had been the urgent need for some organisation of the civil population had been expressed and all were pleased that they were being given an opportunity to serve their King and country and assist the Government to build up the defensive plan of the Dominion, He thought that all classes of the community realised the seriousness of the situation and the urgent necessity for (1) Organisation of the civil manpower. ; (2) Training to fit each man to play his part. (3) The defence of our homes.

The Mother Country had been an inspiration as well as an example. Let the people of New Zealand, said Lieutenant-colonel Smith, strive for the same spirit and determination. Scheme Outlined

The scheme embraced youths from 16 ■ years to .19 years, and they were eager to take a hand, continued Lieu-tenant-colonel Smith. Also men of 19 to 45 who were not yet serving in the forces. All these men could serve in the‘Home Guard until called ,up by the ballot system. From 45 up embraced the large body of war veterans and others who were fit to do a job. Altogether the Government had given them a splendid opportunity to serve, and he confidently anticipated that the Southern Command would be in it to a man. They expected every Otago and Southland man to do his duty. System of Training Training will be along military lines, the only difference being that men of the Home Guard will not be in uniform—just in civilian clothing, with the addition of an armlet, and they will not take their rifles home. 'Should the necessity arise the Gov-ernor-General, by proclamation, can cal] the Home Guard to the Army, and then the guard would be soldiers with the rank and pay of the Army.