HOME GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 February 1941, Page 7

HOME GUARD

PARADE ON SATURDAY I LARGE ATTENDANCE PRESENT. | ! APPEAL TO JOIN UP. Following the picture “The World in Flames" shown at the Regent Theatre on Saturday night to a packed house a stirring address to the men of I Masterton to join the Home Guard was , made by the local unit commander, Mr [ Hibbs. In the course of his remarks Mr Hibbs said: "The picture you have just seen was produced to show you the price the various countries have paid tor indifference to impending and certain dangers. I have to thank Mr Grant, manager of the theatre, for the opportunity of using it for the purpose of making an appeal for men to join the Home Guard. I had an appeal to make to you—an appeal to the men of this town—-an appeal to join the Home Guard, and by so doing make them lit and able to guard against such possibilities as you have just witnessed, but since seeing this picture of facts. I feel that any appeal from me should be unnecessary. My job has been done for me. Anyone seeing this picture and not being moved to join the Home Guard must have a heart of stone and be utterly dead to a sense of duty, and that I refuse to believe of the men of this town. If through lack of knowledge of what may be requir d of you you are hesitating, let met say here and now that in the Home Guard you will be taught the use of weapons and how to take care of yourselves and how to destroy the enemy in the field, You will not be given much barrack square drill, only sufficient drill to ac’ as an organised body. You will bt taught field craft in all its branches, a? well as the unorthodox use of weapon? and the use of unorthodox methods, NO ONE IS SAFE. "You have seen what has happened in other peace loving countries. It can happen here for the menace to freedom is world wide and no one is safe. You have just seen the pitiful sight of young officers trying to teach men te fire rifles in the face of enemy attack Can’t you imagine what a disaster it wculd be to be caught napping througi • your own indifference? This picture has convinced you that preparation is vital. The job of the Home Guard is to take the first shock of invasion. No greater honour could be given any unit in any army but how can we do it if hundreds of able bodied men stand aside and let the consciencious men take the weight of that shock, perhapsbeing outnumbered by five to one. and perhaps being sacrificed by being ottt-| numbered. PULL YOUR WEIGHT "If you think you are more fitted toj belong to the EPS., get in touch with' the Town Clerk. I don’t care what you I join, but I do want to see every man} in Masterton pulling his weight Now, i men of Masterton in England, within! 24 hours of the first launching of the! appeal for a Home Guard, nearly ; 1,000,000 mon had enrolled. Must we' wait for the bombs to begin falling before we fulfil our obvious duty'.’ The! women and children of this country look to you for their safety. Don’t let i them look in vain!" I

2 The Mayor (Mr T. Jordan! said that 2 he hoped that the enrolments would 2 increase as the result of the appeal 1 made and that men and women would I heed the call to help to defend New ; Zealand shores before it was too late. , Mr Jordan said that even young men -. not yet eligible for service tn the arm- . ed forces could assist in some c.ipm-oy and he hoped that they would come forward in ever increasing numbers thus bringing Masterton into the fore- ■ iron: of the Home Guard movement. I The audience warmly applauded the i speakers and the platoon <>n the stage . presented arms while the national anthem was being played. ■ - i ■