PROPOSALS FOR EVACUATION

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23580, 6 March 1942, Page 6

PROPOSALS FOR EVACUATION

“ COMMITTEE SHOULD BE FORMED ”

ADDRESS GIVEN TO. NATIONAL

COUNCIL OF WOMEN

In the event of an invasion of New Zealand, said Mrs E. Locke in an address last evening to the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women, the people had a responsibility to resist the invader with determination. not merciv in order to defend the country, but as part of a world front. Such resistance might make necessary the evacuation of everyone whose presence was not essential.

To prepare for such a possibility, Mrs Locke urged that an evacuation committee do former, distinct from, or an expansion of. the present committee arranging for the dispersal of those rendered homeless by air raid. Such a committee, the speaker contended. should be democratically constituted, and should include representatives from those organisations which had special experience to contribute, such as the Plunket Society, the school committees, and the Women’s Division of (he Farmers’ Union, and those industries which would be involved, such as (he building industry. The committee should assist all persons who in the public interest could serve better in country districts than in the city at the present time, to he transferred now to suitable homes or to experimental or shelter camps in the countryside. They might become the pioneers of evacuation camps, and commence the cultivation of vegetables, the preparation of comfortable quarters, and the building up of co-operation with the local population. It was necessary to plan evacuation. Mrs Locke continued, so that people would be happy in their new homes. The country had a special responsibility of this kind to the dependants of men serving overseas. The speaker appealed to those present not only to offer their opinions, but to give their services in the work of evacuation.