BRITISH AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22081, 1 May 1937, Page 16

BRITISH AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS

• .-.flsr. ♦- wa real Contribution to PEACE"

, LONDON, March 6. Sir' John Simon, the Home Secretary, broadcasting on the Government's ai» raid precautions scheme, safd: "Peace is the' first objective of us all. It is a real.contribution to peace to make it plain to the world that no air attack ■ on this country is ever going to throw our people into panic, so that any would-be aggressor may know that our training and resolution cannot be broken down." . . - He went. on to say that air. raid precautions were not devised because it was assumed that they would be needed. ' "It is the duty not only of the Government, but also of the people of this ■ country to .be ready to take the best •' means, of protecting those who would vbe exposed to danger, if ever this danger came." _ „ i Commenting on the Government's scheme to enrol 300.000 "wardens" for duty in air raids, he said: • . "Our people have a- reputation throughout the world for keeping their heads in an emergency and for readily adapting themselves to voluntary organisation. "I feel sure that if the right peopla are selected as air raid wardens . . . the good sense and neighbourliness which characterise' British life will make this system helpful -and efficient. "We do not .want to pass. Acts of Parliament to order people to dothings - which their own cool judgment,, if ■ . they are suitably led and advised, will , make them do for themselves. "The Government is confident that . sufficient suitable volunteers will be forthcoming for the effective performance of this very important part of the' work of home defence."