HOME GUARD

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21370, 14 March 1941, Page 4

HOME GUARD

SUNDAY PARADES „ HAMILTON UNIT’S CHOICE RECRUITING CAMPAIGN SOON Members of the Hamilton unit of the Home Guard were overwhelmingly in favour of Sunday morning parades as compared with Saturday afternoon parades when an expression of opinion was asked by the unit commander. Captain T. H. Melrose, at the weekly parade last Right. When the vote was so overwhelmingly in favour of Sunday there were a few interjections of “You are placing Saturday afternoon sports and races first.” After commenting upon the arrangements that were in progress for parades on dry parks and under cover during winter Captain Melrose said that he desired an expression of opinion from the men themselves on the question of week-end parades. “It is all the same to me,” he said. “I am quite prepared to tuiyi out on Saturday and Sunday if necessary as I think Home Guard training should come first in everything. With such a large body of men who all have their own opinions on various matters I think an expression of opinion would be very helpful. Reply to Criticism “There has been some criticism about Sunday parades but my attitude is that if Britain were attacked cn a Sunday it would not be feasible for the defence forces to wait until Monday morning before they went into action.” This remark was greeted with cheers and Captain Melrose added that the completion of the training of the Home Guard was of paramount importance and it was necessary to know the most suitable day for training. He stated that for evening parades the attendance exceeded 800 but on Saturday afternoon parades there were only about 500 present owing to so many having to work and other interests. “There should not be other interests,” commented an interjector. “I agree,” said Captain Melrose, ‘but to train the battalion adequately we must pick the day most suitable to all.” He then called for a show of hands, only about 40 voting for Saturday afternoons and over 600 for Sunday mornings. m Forming Another Battalion • 1089 Captain Melrose also stated that he was commencing a recruiting i drive to fill Hamilton’s second battalion in the near future and thought that all Home Guardsmen should wear something distinctive in their coat lapels as one method of impressing upon those who had not joined that they were not playing their part in the defence of the country in its time of danger. A most interesting syllabus of training was undertaken last night the various platoons being supplied with rifles for small arms drill. As platoons swung out from the temporary headquarters with rifles at the siope they were greeted with applause from other companies, the appearance of the rifles and the indication that the training was advancing to such a forward stage being warmly welcomed.

The total number of men now enrolled in the Hamilton unit is 1252 and recruiting is progressing steadily. The hut at Garden Place will now only be open for enrolling recruits on Friday evenings.