HOME GUARD

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21207, 2 September 1940, Page 6

HOME GUARD

THREE DIVISIONS YOUTHS’ PHYSICAL TRAINING DUTIES FOR OLDER MEN (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Saturday Three classes into which the Home Guard would be divided were outlined by the Dominion commander, Major-General R. Young, C. 8., C.M.G., D. 5.0., in an address tonight. General Young said that this week he would be engaged on the important task of selecting leaders for the various units. In the first division would be lads of 16 to 18 and men between 18 and 30 who could not be absorbed into the armed forces at the moment, General Young said. These would be given some physical training under the instructors of the Internal Affairs Department and also by their own officers and non-commissioned officers. The promotion of physical fitness to assist New Zealand and the Empire in the war would be a feature of the training of this division. Duties In Mind The second division would be for men of 30 and upward. General Young said he had in mind such duties as coast watching, reconnaissance and reporting, perhaps delaying an enemy until the army had taken over, and possibly helping in the evacuation of cities and arranging billets should these be necessary. In the third division would be the men who could undertake only light duty. It might be difficult to place these, but General Young said he had no doubt that a job was awaiting them.

“Next week I shall be looking for leaders,” General Young added. “The men I want are preferably those who have had war experience, but it is essential that they be of the type who can make bricks without straw.” General Young thanked the veterans of South Africa and his comrades of the Great War who had sent him encouraging letters, and appealed to any of these who could help to communicate with him. Finally he appealed for the prayers of the people in the task he had undertaken.