HOME GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 March 1941, Page 4

HOME GUARD

TRAINING OF N.C.O’S. FACTORS IN LEADERSHIP. LAST EVENING’S COURSE. "The object of N.C.O. instruction must be training in leadership,” said Mr. A. L. Hibbs, Commander of the Masterton Home Guard Battalion in an interview at the N.C.O. instructional course held last evening at the Mascot Garage. “A leader must first of all have the confidence of his men and to gain this he must have confidence in himself. Our training gives him the knowledge which is the basis of his confidence in himself. "Another essential of leadership is loyalty.” said Mr. Hibbs. “Unless a leader is himself loyal to his superiors he cannot expect loyal support from his subordinates. Also he in turn must be loyal to his subordinates in placing their welfare before his own. The third factor is discipline. To secure this the N.C.O. must command the men of his section firmly, but with commonsense and fairness. ‘The first responsibility of all N.C.O.’s is care of their men,” said Mr. Hibbs. "This includes fair division of work, attention to physical requirements, and care to see that all are fairly treated, and any complaints promptly and justly dealth with. The good N.C.O. is always in evidence after a really tiring day. While an indifferent leader of men will probably be busy seeing to his own comfort, the good leader will be looking after the comfort of his men. There is still room in the N.C.O. Class for men who are keen to go forward.” The main work done at last nights course consisted of squad drill and the methods of forwarding messages as between units on active service. At the Drill Hall a large physical culture specialist class spent the evening in training. This class is particularly fortunate in having the services of an instructor from Wellington. The Battalion parade will be held tomorrow evening. New recruits may enrol at any parade.