HOME GUARD

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 29241, 11 October 1940, Page 7

HOME GUARD

DISTRICT BOUNDARIES NO. 4 AREA ORGANISATION DUTIES OF COMMITTEES For the purposes of organising the Home Guard, the No. 4 (Hamilton) military area was divided into soeciiic localities when a meeting of members of local authorities within the district was held in Hamilton yesterday, presided over by the Mavor of Hamilton, Mr H. D. Caro. Other matters relating to the organisation of the scheme in the Waikato district were also considered, in accordance with a request from the organiser of the Home Guard.

When it was decided to set up localities as provided by the regulations, Mr Caro stated that it would have to be decided whether the boundaries would be on the county or borough basis or on the lines on which the Emergency Precautions Scheme organisation was working. He added that he most favoured the Cambridge suggestion of having the towns as the centres and working on adjoining county ridings which had a community of interest with the central borough. Boundaries Fixed It was decided that the borough and county boundaries would be the boundaries of localities for Home Guard purposes, and that the localities established should be controlled by the local authority. Local committees will be empowered to alter or adjust the boundaries if experience indicates that it is necessary. Town districts will be included within the boundaries of the contiguous county. Mr Caro quoted a recent statement by the Minister of National Service, that men joining the Home Guard and taking the oaih of allegiance would not be required to move from their* own district in event of an emergency. The Emergency Precautions Volunteer Organisation in the Waikato offered the services of 50 trained leaders to act as recruiting officers for the Home Guard. It was decided to accept the offer. Organisation Details In outlining the work of the committees controlling each locality, Mr Caro said that eacn committee wouid be responsible tor arranging:—(a) the selection and enrolment oi members of the Home Guard, and the recommendation of members of the Home Guard for appointment as commanders; (b) the subdivisions of the Home Guaid and their location, having regard to local requirements in the event of an emergency; (c) the times and places of assembly ol the Home Guard or subdivisions thereof for training, parades, or service; (d) the provision by the local authorities in the locality of office accommodation, clerical assistance, stationery, and services for the Home Guard; (e) the co-operation by the Home Guard with any emergency precautions organisation or any other branch of the Corps or any other authority or organisation requiring the services of the Home Guard; (f) generally all matters not inconsistent with the regulations that may be deemed necessary or expedient to promote the most effective use of the Home Guard. He said any committee might appoint sub-committees and might delegate to any sub-committee any functions of the committee. Every committee and sub-committee would keep a record of its proceedings, which would at all convenient times be open to inspection by the Director of National Service. Mr Caro added that it was to be noted that it had been laid down by the Minister that local committees were to consist of representatives of the local bodies concerned together with a representative of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, a representative of the Trade Unions, and of any other local organisations such as the Farmers’ Union which might be able to render assistance. If it were decided to use existing Emergency Precautions Scheme committees for this purpose representatives of the organisations mentioned must be added if not already appointed.

COMMANDERS IN SOUTH (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday The appointment of the following area commanders of the Home Guard was announced by the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple, tonight:—Area 10C, headquarters at Ashburton, Captain E. Cockroft; area 11 A, headquarters at Oamaru, Major J. F. Tonkin; area 11, headquarters at Dunedin, Lieutenant F. B. Adams; area 12 A, headquarters at Gore, Lieutenant-Colonel E. F. Selby; area 12, headquarters at Invercargill, Captain W. Bell.