IF NEW ZEALAND IS INVADED

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23743, 15 September 1942, Page 4

IF NEW ZEALAND IS INVADED

DENIAL OF RESOURCES TO ENEMY * MEASURES AUTHORISED BY WAR CABINET (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Sept. 14. “Although not much information has been published about preparations in New Zealand for denying resources to the enemy in the event of an invasion, this matter has been receiving keen and intelligent attention for some time,” said the Minister of Civil Defence (the Hon. W. A. Bodkin), “Working in accordance with advice from the Imperial Government, the New Zealand authorities are taking careful precautions to prevent invaders from increasing their aggressive strength by the use of- resources which timely action should deny to them. “Certain .action will, be taken, of course, by the armed forces in the event of an invasion in the destruction of military installations and equipment which cannot be removed. This scheme of necessary action will aiso include communications, such as railways and bridges, but apart from that limited programme the denial of resources—certain national assets and assets of local authorities, private persons, and companies—must be undertaken by the civil defence organisation, which will require the utmost co-operation of those concerned. “The enemy must not be allowed to have the benefit of harbour facilities, big workshops of heavy industries, vehicles, small seacraft, stocks of oil fuel, coal, and various other materials, and machinery, which would increase his attacking power. “The absolute need of such a denial should be apparent, yet there is evidence that the heads of some big industrial establishments which invaders would dearly like to use are loth to give proper heed to warnings about the need of satisfactory oreparations. Such an attitude cannot be allowed’ to stand in the way of national need. It can be said emphatically that the authorities have the best of reasons for the present preparations. Their information 'gives better guidance for the public than the notions of persons who tend to be Influenced more by short-sighted personal considerations than by factors of national safety. Work for E.P.S. Committees “E.P.S. technical committees have been set up in all E.P.S. areas. .They have the responsibility of organising and training units which will be available immediately for any action needed in the denial of resources to the enemy. This procedure is part of the defence system, which must be aggressive, not passive. It is important always to remember that the ‘P’ in E.P.S. does not stand for passive. “The War Cabinet, on the most expert advice available, has determined that the denial of resources must be an integral part of ,our defence plan, and that the civil defence is required to undertake the very important responsibility of co-operating with the armed forces so far as civil resources are concerned. It is therefore necessary for me, as Minister of Civil Defence, to call upon all E.P.S. organisations to proceed immediately with the necessary preparations. I am certain that once they are convinced that the work is a valuable part of our defence plan they will make the scheme entirely efficient. “Provided that property is covered by a war damage policy the Crown’s liability for compensation in regard to the denial of resources to the enemy is shown-in the following additional definition of war damage in the War Damage Amendment Act, 1942:—‘Damage occurring, whether accidentally or not, as a direct result of measures taken' under proper authority with a view to destroying anv property for the purpose of preventing it falling into the hands of the enemy or being used by the enemy.’ ”