The Home Guard and Invasion
It is of the utmost importance that the right men should be chosen to be officers in the Home Guard. The distinguished retired officers who have been appointed to act as chairmen of selection boards should be assisted by energetic laymen with knowledge of their own locality. The warnings that have been given about the possibilities of an attempted German invasion will bring the Home Guard once again into the limelight. Since it was first formed much has been done to improve it as a fighting force. Its members have been provided with uniforms and arms (though in many districts they need more rifles and more ammunition), have had opportunities of rifle practice, and have been given a defined part to play in relation to the regular forces. Courses of instruction have been pro- vided at a central school for members drawn from all parts of the country, and it has been and is their duty to impart their knowledge to the rank-and-file in the localities. But a matter to which attention must now be given is that of reviving the same sort of enthusiasm and sense of crisis as inspired recruitment at the beginning. When the prospect of invasion receded during the autumn, it was difficult in some districts to maintain the same keenness as when invasion seemed imminent. Undoubtedly the men will go quickly to their action posts the moment danger comes, but to reach the highest degree of efficiency it is necessary that hard work should be done in the quieter times to enable them to master all their duties and co-operate with the Regular Army.
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