NATION AT WAR.

Auckland Star, 4 September 1939, Page 7

NATION AT WAR.

BRITAIN PREPARING. Evacuation Being Carried On Without A Hitch. SCENES OF INTENSE ACTIVITY United l J ,ress Association.—Copyright. (Received 9.30 a.m.) LOXDOX, September 3. Britain has already every appearance of a nation at war, a state into which it ,'has seemed almost imperceptibly to transform itself. Yesterday's black-out scenes brought home the gravity of the situation. The main railway stations are ghostly under dim blue lights. An Air Ministry communique states that aircraft were observed at 11.30 p.m. approaching the south coast. As their identity could not be readily determined, an air-raid warning was given, but they were shortly afterwards identified as friendly aircraft—believed to l»e French—and so the "all-clear"' was sounded. In order to prevent crowds aggravating air raid risks the <iovermncnt has closed all places of entertainment until iurther notice, including indoor and outdoor sports, but churches have not been affected. All day schools have been closed for a week. Everyone has been asked to carry a gas mask and an envelope containing their name and address. The people are urged to keep from the streets as much as possible. Doctors have automatically been called up for emergency duty at specified hospitals. The Doncaster Kace Committee lias cancelled the St. Leger meeting. There are scenes of the most intense activity, with kliaki-clad men and women everywhere, and also families leaving London, carrying much luggage. Yet there is not the least confusion. In spite of having to run without lights, the trains maintained their schedules. The sandbagging of basements, skylights and lirst-floor windows, which has been proceeding methodically all the week, to-day took fresh impetus. The police are wearing steel helmets and carrying gas masks. Perhaps the most striking spectacle is the balloon barrage, resembling a vast flock of huge grey birds in the heavens. At frequent intervals all over London signs point the way to air raid shelters. The work of evacuation is proceeding without a hitch. There are long lines of children at the stations and hundreds of buses are streaming out to the country and the seaside. The evacuation of cripples, blind persons and expectant mothers began to-day. Nearly 300.000 children were evacuated from London yesterday. Rations for 48 Hours. All parties on arrival at the reception areas received simple rations to last 48 hours, although the billeting officers and local authorities in the reception areas had. in most cases, arranged for canteens, with drinks and hot meals. The children were cheerful, enjoying the novelty of their experience, but many parents obviously were distressed at the parting. The Ministry of Health announced that in the course of Friday's evacuation, over 24,000 stretcher cases were moved, including over 3000 from the County of London, and the number of patients who were fit to be sent home was estimated at 70.000 to 80,000. It is now estimated that at least 150,000 beds will be available for casualties in England and Wales.

Further emergency measures were passed by the House of Commons on Friday evening, including a bill authorising the appointment of Ministers for exercising war functions. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Simon, announced a supplementary Budget vote of f000.000,000 for securing public safety, defence of the realm, maintenance of public order and the prosecution of a war. The sum will be raised by temporary borrowing. The. vote was approved without a division.