HOME GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 October 1940, Page 4

HOME GUARD

WAIRARAPA ORGANISATION' ENROLMENT TO START. MAJOR-GENERAL R. YOUNG VISITS MASTERTON. The Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, presided over a meeting of representatives of local bodies throughout the Wairarapa, held in the Masterton Borough chambers last night to discuss with the Dominion Commander, Major-General R. Young, matters relating to the establishment of the Home Guard. General Young briefly outlined the Government’s intention in forming the organisation, stressing the urgent necessity for the public to realise the gravity of the present time. He pointed out that the broad idea was that members of the Home Guard should not carry out tedious training but should be familiarised with the use of military weapons. Members would be attested, and if the need arose would be called up by Proclamation, and would then come under military conditions. He urged that a start be made in enrolling men as soon as possible. While it was not .expected that men should be as fit as Territorial standards a certain degree of physical fitness was desired. Mr A. B. Martin stated that a unit had been formed in Martinborough and between 90 and 100 men were in training every week. All were showing keenness and enthusiasm. '

It was decided that immediate steps be taken to form the Home Guard throughout the Wairarapa and enrolment forms were to be distributed to local bodies in Masterton, Carterton, Pahiatua, Eketahuna, Featherston and Martinborough. Further particulars relating to recruiting offices will be announced after a complete list of men enrolled under the Emergency Precautions Scheme has been compiled. It was pointed out that key men of the Emergency Precautions Scheme should not take the oath of attestation as they were required for that work and would work in conjunction with the Home Guard.

The Wairarapa branch of the R.S.A. is to be approached with a view to using the secretary’s office as a recruiting depot. The Provincial Commander, Colonel Beere would be visiting the district in the near future to complete the setting up of the Wairarapa command.