HOME GUARD

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21194, 17 August 1940, Page 8

HOME GUARD

SEMI-MILITARY BODY MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATION ENROLMENT IN DISTRICTS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Saturday The organisation of a Home Guard was announced by the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple, to-day as part of the Emergency Reserve Corps, regulations covering which are published in an extraordinary Gazette. “ The Home Guard,” said Mr Semple, “is the name given to a semi-military body which is shortly to be established in consultation and co-operation with local bodies in all parts of the Dominion. The command of the Home Guard will be under the direction of a Dominion commander, and there will be appointed three district commanders corresponding with the three military commands, also a number of area and group commanders, all of whom will co-operate with the local body committees.

“ Membership of the Home Guard will be open to all males of 16 years or over who are not actively attached to any of His Majesty’s forces. “ The main functions of the Home Guard will he physical and military training, provision of guards, pickets, patrols, sentries, etc., and units for specialist duties. The Home Guard will be available to co-operate with any of His Majesty’s Forces in the defence of New Zealand, and in the event of enemy action or the threat of enemy action may by proclamation actually be incororated as part of the defence forces of the country.” “ In conjunction my associate, the Hon. D. Wilson, I propose at an early date to visit all the main centres in New Zealand,” said Mr Semple, “ to discuss with local authorities the establishment of committees in their areas for the purpose of enrolling persons as members of the Home Guard. I feel confident there is no need for me to make any appeal for physically fit men to join up with the Home Guard when it is established in their districts. It is already abundantly evident that there are thousands of people in New Zealand who have only been awaiting a lead of this nature to enable them to take some more active part in the war effort.”