COMPULSORY PARADES OF HOME GUARD

Southland Times, Issue 24835, 29 August 1942, Page 2

COMPULSORY PARADES OF HOME GUARD

Farmers’ Difficulties The difficulties of Southland farmers attending compulsory parades of the Home Guard during the next two months because of the rush of seasonal work were emphasized at a meeting of the Southland Council of Primary Production yesterday. It was stated that the regulations provided that Home in division A must attend paradaes totalling 24 hours in each month and battalion commanders were requested to hold more than the required number of parades so that it would not be necessary for men to attend all parades. Battalion commanders were authorized to grant exemption up to three months where men were engaged on essential work or in cases of illness or other good reason. If leave for more than three months were required application should be made to the Armed Forces Appeal Board. Battalion commanders would no doubt view the position of farmers reasonably and sympathetically. Men who had been attending parades regularly for the last few months would probably receive more sympathetic consideration than those who had a bad record. It was realized that the production of food was necessary, but it was also necessary to train men to fight. It was a matter which called for tact and careful consideration. . Several speakers said that during the lambing period it would be extremely difficult for farmers to attend parades, particularly daylight parades. It was decided to recommend that parades in country district during the next two months be cancelled with provision for extra parades or Camps to make up the lost training at a later period.