CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 302, 22 December 1941, Page 4

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

I PRECAUTIONS j «To ihe Editor) j Your correspondent Rununhyde" j certainly sounds a timely note of warning, which should not be ignored ; by the authorities responsible for the i safety of civilians. We have been warned repeatedly that our cities ai« in danger of surprise attacks from the air. Civilians and milkaiy forces in Hawaii. Singapore and other parts of the Pacific are expect ing air attacks, which will heavy casualties. Why? Because fireproof, bombproof public shelters not mere open trenches, have not been built. The necessary- preparations are being made in New Zealand cities to give every assistance possible to those injured in raids. Bui why must we adopt the fatalistic attitude that heavy casualties aie inevitable whilst there is yer tim«. to provide protection which wfl] prevent casualties. Increased war production means that buildings in the city area will be well populated day and night. Bomb-proof shelters centrally situated should be provided at once. If householders are advised to remain in their homes during a raid, air raid shelters similar to those provided for private houses in Britain are just as necessary as a lifebelt is to ocean travellers. Parents, nurses and other civilians who are in charge of the more helpless members of the community will certainly be aided by a stronger sense of security if these air raid shelters are built at once. A MOTHER.