BRITAIN'S RUSH TO PREPARE

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 228, 27 September 1938, Page 9

BRITAIN'S RUSH TO PREPARE

Evacuate London

HOME DEFENCE UNITS CALLED UP

SAFETY OF CIVILIANS

(United Press Association.—Copyright.—Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 26. With the sands of the crisis running out, the entire country is doing its utmost to complete precautions for the safety of civilians. Timetables have been prepared enabling the evacuation of 3,500,000 Londoners within 72 hours. Every city and town is taking over vacant land, on which, in addition to parks, entrenching is going on with the greatest haste. Similar work is also being carried out in London's parks. Gas masks are being handed out everywhere. Intensive precautions are also being taken against fire. The municipalities are calling up volunteers, who are undergoing swift courses of instruction. Plans have been completed for the evacuation of 500,000 London school children in a few hours. Headmasters have urged parents wherever possible to move their children to the country without delay. Parents have been given lists of two days' food, clothing and other articles which each child should carry. It is suggested that they should be packed now. Officers and men of anti-aircraft units and coast defence units of the Territorial Army have been called up. It is emphasised that the calling up of these units is precautionary and distinct from general mobilisation, which would embody the Territorial Army. The Royal Air Force personnel has been recalled from leave. Observers' corps have been called up. The air raid warning system has been instituted and also explained. The precaution does not include general mobilisation, and is for the applying for home defence only. The majority of members of the Cabinet, including all defence Ministers and Viscount Halifax, met this afternoon at the headquarters of the Committee of Imperial Defence.