BRITISH AIR RAID MEASURES

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1938, Page 9

BRITISH AIR RAID MEASURES

IN RAPID MOTION

GAS MASKS AND SANDBAGS ORDERED

SAFEGUARDING DOCKS (Received 12 noon.) LONDON, September 23. The Daily Herald" says the machinery of the National Air Raid Precautions Act, with ramifications in every town and village throughout the country, has been set in rapid motion. Home Office officials are speeding up arrangements for the safety of civilians. Local authorities throughout the country have urgently ordered gas masks. The Willesden Corporation has taken delivery of 210,000 gas masks and 600.000 sandbags. The Daily Chronicle" says the military defence scheme of the port of London has been completed. The first safeguard is a balloon barrage screening the docks, coupled with anti-aircraft batteries and searchlights and the co-operation of fighter 'planes. Two thousand of the 4000 volunteers required for essential wharf work under war conditions are at present being trained. Scores of shelters have been marked out in dock vaults, and fire-fightine tugs are ready to stand by. The '"Daily Telegraph" understands that arrangements are to be made in a few days for the fitting of the members of the Royal household, probably including Their Majesties the King and Queen, with civilian gas masks. It is reported that the Duke and Duchess of Kent and their household have already been fitted. Fourteen centres in Central and West London have been opened for the equipment of 120.000 inhabitants.