"STANDS READY"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 57, 9 March 1942, Page 4

"STANDS READY"

E.P.S. WELL TESTED

COMMUNITY'S PART

"The test made to-day ends the series which has thoroughly tried out the E.P.S., and the lessons which have been learnt teach how the organisation can be strengthened and improved," said the Chief Warden, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, to-day.

"New Zealand's restricted manpower is common knowledge, and one result is that some men occupying key positions in industry also hold key positions in the E.P.S. This must be corrected without delay, because, of course, no person can effectively occupy two key positions in different organisations. In fact, there must be an overhaul of our manpower so that it shall be distributed to the best advantage in the E.P.S. or the Home Guard, and in industry.

"The smallness of our population is a great handicap, and one way to alleviate this is for every person to recognise the necessity to do two jobs in this time of danger—the personal job and the community job. New Zealand is no longer far cistant from the war zone, and we must now stand ready to do our part to assist in the defence of our country, no matter what sacrifices of time, money, comfort and convenience we may be called up on to make. We must not think in terms of profit and wages, but in terms of service, much of which must be voluntary and without reward. Women and Youths "The first essential is the defence of our country, which gives the members of our armed forces a fulltime job, and there is work for every member of our civilian population. Youths below the age of 18 years are exempt from compulsory service in the E.P.S., but many of them can take a turn voluntarily at fire watching in the evenings and during Saturdays and Sundays. Some of our womenfolk are already voluntarily doing fire watching duty during the daytime at the week-ends, and many more can undertake this wprk, and thus release men for other jobs.

"At present certain key points in the E.P.S. are manned continuously and presently it may be necessary to have constant watch at all E.P.S. warden and aid posts. This is work which women can undertake during the day, even if only for short watches of an hour or so at a time, and in doing this they will emulate the example of the women of the United Kingdom. "The E.P.S. will be glad to re-' ceive offers of voluntary assistance from any women and youths who are willing to assist.