CO-ORDINATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 117, 20 May 1942, Page 4

CO-ORDINATION

ARMY AND E.P.S.

DUTY OF LIAISON OFFICERS

(P.A.)

AUCKLAND, This Day,

In appointing regional commissioners as liaison officers between the Army and Emergency Precautions Services, the Government has followed the British system, which has been proved by experience to be thoroughly satisfactory-

Discussing the scheme the Hon. R. Semple said that the regional commissioners would form a connecting link between the Army and E.P.S., which as the civil wing of the defence system they would keep in constant touch with the Army commands, their military knowledge enabling them to understand fully the requirements of strategy and tactics. Their function was to bring about complete understanding between the Army and E.P.S., so that in time of emergency the operations of both would be co-ordin-ated and confusion avoided. It was of the highest importance that the plan of operation could be put in motion at a moment's notice without misunderstanding or confusion, otherwise if a town were bombed from the air or shelled from "he sea there might be needless loss of life.

The commissioners were directly responsible to the Government. They would .report to the Minister of National Service who, in turn, would report when necessary to the War Cabinet as to the strength and efficiency of the E.P.S. and its capacity to work in complete co-operation with the Army and its .equirements. The commissioners possessed overriding powers in connection with civilian organisation, but these would be used only, when it was absolutely necessary. They would have no connection with the Home Guard, which was on integral part of the Army, other than in securing a proper balance of strength batween it and the E.P.S.

Mr. Semple expressed confidence that the scheme, and appointments under it, would create the closest understanding and good will between the military and civilian forces, and provide machinery whereby a sudden emergency, could be met with skilful coordination.