The Akaroa Mail, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1939. EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS ON THE PENINSULA

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LXIV, Issue 6577, 17 October 1939, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1939. EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS ON THE PENINSULA

r jpllE la rye and representative attendance at the meeting calj led- by the Akaroa County Counleil to eonside 1, the matter of takjino. precautionary measures in the [event of an enemy attack or natiual disaster shows that residcnts are alive to the fact that a dii-icult situation is comparatively easy to face if one is prepared fir it. In Great Britain those who agitated five years ago to build up the British navy were looked upon as alarmists. Fortunately their advice was followed and our Navy which had been declining in strength andcj the Disarmament Scheme was built up so that it can now cuitroJ the main waterways. The pian is to continue the building with Uie idea of havir.g the Main F'eet duplicated by 1941. Without our strong Nav\ Britain and her colonial Empire would be in a much ie;>s seer re position today. It has been remarked on more' than one occaion that the man in the street has been more keen to build up our war strength than the average politician. The people ci Britain have been pushing the Government to take action, which is a reversal 01 the usual situation where the Government iias had to persuade the people that war preparations are necessary. Nothing predicts the ultimate success of the war more than the determined spirit of the whole population. The position is the same in oui country and Saturday's meeting was another demonstration of the full realization of the gravity of the situation. As the chairman. Mr E. Ilay( stated we are fortunate in New Zealand and it s hoped that we shall escape the horrors of warfare, but it is well | to be prepared. The formation of local committees in every part of the district is a wise measure as it is not light to leave the responsibility with one resident. The machinery is all prepared to be put in action ii necessary and the keen interest displayed shovvs that in the event of any future trouble the Peninsula people are prepared to reduce the effects of any disaster by being in a good state of preparation.