CIVIL DEFENCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 199, 24 August 1942, Page 4

CIVIL DEFENCE

CITY'S PREPARATIONS

COMMENT BY MIXISTER

The preparations made by Auckland against possible enemy action were more complete and up-to-date than in any other city, stated the Minister of Civil Defence, Mr. Bodkin, who' is making a tour of the emergency organisations in the metropolitan area. The Minister will spend a few days in this area, and will make another visit next month in company with the Department's experts.

Reference was made by the Minister to the Lighting Restriction Orders, 1942, which have been recently gazetted. L nder these orders, he said, a certain relaxation of the blackout requirements was allowed so as to permit sufficient street and shop illumination for citizens to enjoy reasonable comfort and safety. House lights could also be used normally. It was pointed out, however, by the Minister that, in the event of a warning of danger, all systems and persons must be prepared to cut off all lights at once. The relaxation of blackout requirements was more favourable to inland than coastal areas. The determination of what was an inland area depended upon the configuration of the coastline and the situation of the area in respect of defence requirements. The coastal fringe might be from three to twelve milos wide.

The provision of protective material to eliminate the danger of flying glass in public buildings, especially hospitals, schools and railway stations, was receiving' the special attention of experts, stated Mr. Bodkin. He also stated that the technical adviser to the National Service Department, Mr. C. W. Hamann would shortly arrive in Auckland to confer with E.P.S. organisations, especially concerning shelters It had been established, said the Minister, that the basement shelters in large buildings afforded the greatest measure of protection.

Referring to the fire-fighting services, Mr. Bodkin said that negotiations were proceeding with the army for the special training of Home Guard units in thickly-populated areas in this work, so that, if the chief danger developed from the air rather than from a land invasion guardsmen would be assigned to that duty. A great amount of additional equipment would be secured, and attention paid to the greatest possible utilisation of static water, such as harbours, rivers, swimming baths and special reservoirs, as in every bombing raid mains were put out of action.