EMERGENCY PLAN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 119, 22 May 1941, Page 6

EMERGENCY PLAN

RAILWAY WORKERS

ACTIVE PART TAKEN Tho association of railway employees with the E.P.S.O. was referred to to-day by Mr. A. S. Bailey, deputy chairman of the central committee. Mr. Bailey said that railway employees, under the auspices of the Railway Department, were taking an active part in the Emergency Precautions Scheme Organisation, and lin Auckland the unit formed was an integral part of that organisation. The main functions of the unit would be to assist in maintaining continuity of the railway system of transport under emergency conditions, and was providing for the organisation of such auxiliary services as first aid, fire fighting and transport communications. The appeal for enrolments in the service had met with a ready response from the railway staff, who were keen to fit themselves for any emergency which might arise. "In addition to those enrolled in the E.P.S. organisation," Mr. Bailey added, "numbers of railwaymen are on active service, and also taking a prominent part in home defence units. Some criticism has been directed to the railway staff, and also the Department, on the ground that railway employees are debarred from joining the Home Guard. Thjs is an entirely wrong conception. It will no doubt be realised that the railway transport system is an essential defence unit of the Dominion. Key men are indispensable to the maintenance of the continuity of railway transport, and it will be evident that the first duty of such men will be to emulate the spirit of British railwaymen and stand by public services despite wartime handicaps." Mr. .fcSailey stated, rurther, that steps were now being taken to provide a uniform scheme for the protection of school children in an emergency. A most helpful conference of educational interests had been held, and it had been decided to set up a comprehensive committee to formulate recommendations for submission to the central committee of the Emergency Precautions Scheme Organisation. The comprehensive committee would comprise representatives appointed by the primary and secondary, both public and private, educational controlling authorities, school committees and principals. A convening committee, which would hold its first meeting this afternoon, had been set up to determine the basis of representaI tion and arrange for the main com- ] mittee to function.