ENROLMENTS IN HOME GUARD

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23129, 19 September 1940, Page 8

ENROLMENTS IN HOME GUARD

EMERGENCY SCHEMES AFFECTED GOVERNMENT ASKED TO CLARIFY POSITION The possibility of enlistments in the Home Guard affecting adversely the efficiency of the ■ painstakingly prepared emergency precautions schemes in the various centres was referred to by the City Engineer (Mr A. R. Galbraith), in an interview with a reporter of “The Press” yesterday. Mr Galbraith, who is controller of the public utilities division of the Christchurch emergency precautions scheme, said it was proposed to have a conference of the controllers of the city schemes with representatives of the Government, when it was hoped that this and other'matters of uncertainty would be cleared up. “The difficulty Is that, unless some clear indication is given by the Government, key men in the emergency precautions schemes are likely to be lost,” said Mr Galbraith. As the Home Guard would be under the control of the military authorities persons enlisting in this organisation might not be available to assist the local authority charged with the responsibility of meeting any emergency that might occur. Skilled Workers Essential For the efficient carrying out of the emergency precautions scheme there must be a ready supply of certain types of skilled labour, in addition to the key men in executive positions. In an emergency resulting from earthquake, fire, flood, or other cause, the first object of those responsible for the district affected was to restore public utilities. said Mr Galbraith. In Christchurch, for instance, the earliest possible restoration and subsequent maintenance of the high-pressure water sup-ply-was essential. Not only did the city’s fire-fighting facilities depend on this, but the water supply was indispensable to the sewerage and drainage systems. For power the greater part of the city relied entirely on electricity, and the maintenance of the electrical supply was also of first importance. An emergency precautions scheme, therefore, implied the immediate availability of water supply workers, plumbers, electricians, gas workers, auxiliary firemen, car and truck drivers, motor-cyclists and others skilled in a variety of callings. In time of war, too, the civic authorities could not rely on the assistance of the military in an emergency. Provision must be made, therefore, for special constables, first aid arfd ambulance workers. and emergency hospitals. Provision for Finance Mr Galbraith he had no doubt a satisfactory modus -operandi would be found. Originally the emergency precautions scheme was under the control of the Department of Internal Affairs It had since been transferred to the Ministry of National Service, and there should be no difficulty in achieving co-ordination and co-opera-tion between the emergency precautlons Scheme and the Home GuardThe detailed work in the organisation of the Christchurch emergency precautions scheme was proceeding satisfactorily, said Mr Galbraith, and it was hoped before long to have a fairly thorough test of ments that have been made. The plans were not sufficiently advanced for that yet and it was doubtful whether anything could be done until the Home Guard position had been cleared up. He added that the Christchurch City Council and other local authorities would have to make, financial provision for the operation of the emergency precautions scheme. The controlling legislation charged each, lofcal body with the responsibility of preparing a scheme for its own district and with meeting and paying for any emergency as far as it could. FIRST MEETING OF HOME GUARD COMMITTEE The first meeting of the Christ- ! church Home Guard Committee will be held to-morrow evening, and the ■ Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) said yesterday that it was expected that one of the first matters to which the committee would .give attention would be co-operaion between the Home. Guard and the emergency precautions scheme. It was recognised that both organisations had special claims on citizens, and it was a matter of deciding how persons with special qualifications could best be used in the interests of the community, said Mr Macfarlane. He said that the appointment of area and district officers of the Home Guard was still awaited from Wellington. CLIPPER ON RETURN FLIGHT —— ♦ ' (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, September 18. Beginning the first regular passenger flight from Auckland to San Francisco, Pan American Airways' American Clipper took off from the Waiternata harbour at 7.50 o’clock this morning with 14 passengers, as, well as mail and freight. The clipper landed at Noumea at 3.37 o’clock this afternoon, having completed the first stage of the journey. It is scheduled to continue to Canton Island to-morrow. The flying-boat Awarua, of Tasman Empire Airways, is scheduled to fly from Sydney to Auckland to-morrow with passengers, mail, and freight.