HOME GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 February 1942, Page 6

HOME GUARD

NEED FOR UNIFORMS. CHRISTCHURCH VIEWS. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 23. “Home Guardsmen not in uniform in forward defence areas would in case of attack be liable to be shot as francstireurs,” said Mr J. K. Moloney when the question of uniforms for the Home Guard was discussed by the Canterbury Territorial Association. He pointed out that by the rules of international warfare the armed forces of a sovereign State were required to be clothed in uniforms with regimental or unit badges. The only badge worn by Guardsmen was a brassard, though in some units' denims were worn. The Guard was being used virtually as troops in forward positions, he said. They were liable to be shot as francstireurs and there would always be the possibility of reprisals on the civilian population. Representations should be made to have the Guardsmen dressed in military uniforms. Colonel J. Murphy (president), agreeing, said there seemed to be a good deal of apprehension in the community about the anomalous position of the Home Guard, and its constitution should be made to conform with international usage. It was decided to send a letter to the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, expressing the views of the meeting. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. [government DOING ALL IT CAN. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 23. “We are putting the Home Guard into uniforms as fast as we possibly can,” said the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, tonight, when statements by members of the Canterbury Territorial Association were referred to him. Mr Jones said he would be pleased to go into the question raised—such as the liability of guardsmen to be shot as francs-tireurs if they were not in uniform —when he received the association’s letter setting out members’ views. He declined to comment on the point meanwhile, and added: — “I can only say we are doing all we can in regard to the production of battledress and as fast as this is available to territorials, we are making service dress available for the Home Guard.