HOME GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 August 1940, Page 3

HOME GUARD

SOME DETAILS OF TRAINING PROGRAMME. GIVEN BY HON R. SEMPLE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. The nature of the training it is proposed to give those who volunteer for service in the Home Guard was explained by’ the Minister of National Service. Mr Semple, in an address last night. He said that men signing on would take the oath of allegiance to the King, and also undertake to do what they could to prevent the spreading of rumours. With the aid of the local Home Guard committtees, it was intended to group the guard into expert or specialist units. Timber workers, fencers, boatmen, and bridge builders were just a few samples of types it was hoped to arrange in units. "We all know plenty’ of men who want to do their bit and who will enjoy nothing better than some physical training so that they can get fit to do it," said Mr Semple. "That is the keynote of the idea. The physical training instructors of the physical training branch of the Internal Affairs Department will devote their energies to the Home Guard, and will teach the latest army methods of this part of the work. We know there are scores of men quite fit through their ordinary work, but regular short doses of special exercises are necessary. They are just the thing to limber up the muscles and joints that we hadn't thought of. At most parades there will be about 15 minutes of this.

"For those who are not physically’ able to drill and do heavy work, there will be lighter duties, too. They can be attached to the guard in a sort of honorary capacity. They won't be sworn in as full members, but they can enrol and be allotted to duties of a clerical nature.

"A programme has been drawn up to cover the training in progressive stages. We think of trying an evening parade one week, and a parade at the weekend the following week, and so on. This, of course, may be altered to suit different places and conditions. “The first period will cover the organisation and duties of the guard, with discipline, communication drill, and routine. Physical training and squad drill will follow. Then there will be semaphore signalling, rounding off with marching and march discipline.

"The second period will provide for patrols, pickets and guard work, with transport and movement, such as embussing and debussing. Then will come camping out at night and billets, and camp sanitation. In the third period will be company drill, entrenchments. field exercises, and probably anti-gas training. “The fourth period will deal with road blocking, and clearing, and specialist training. In this period, too, it is hoped to practise some alarms or tryouts, to show how the guard can do its stuff. There should be an opportunity about this time for the guard to make a public display in some ceremonial parade. It is hot too much to hope that all the guard in an area can parade together on some suitable occasion.

“As time goes on. further training will be laid down. The yeomen in the Home Guard of New Zealand, with the traditions of the term, will build up their own tradition to a proud place in our own dear land."