CIVIL DEFENCE IN N.Z.

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28936, 2 July 1959, Page 6

CIVIL DEFENCE IN N.Z.

Local Bodies’ Part In Plan

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. July 1. The civil defence plan had the fullest support and backing of the Government, the Minister of Civil Defence (Mr Anderton) said today at a meeting of the combined planning committees set up by the Ministry. About 80 members from various parts of New Zealand attended. Mr Anderton' said the white paper on defence indicated the Government’s firm intention to provide protection for the civilian population against the hazards of nuclear war.

He said there was no cause for alarm; but, at the same time, it was foolish to ignore the possibility of an outbreak of nuclear war.

New Zealand was not exempt from the possible effects of nuclear warfare and the proposed planning committees were a first step towards achieving full coverage for the whole of the Dominion.

A particularly’ important part would be played by the loca. authorities who would be responsible for the formation of the operational civil defence units.

The Director of Civil Defence <Mr J. K. Hunn) said the civil defence plan would have three levels of control—national, regional and local. The Ministry would operate at national and regional level and the. local bodies would set up units of a civil defence corps at local level. New Zealand would be divided into four regions. The Ministry had the advice of the Chief of General Staff (Major General C. E. Weir) and the director of plans. Army (Colonel N. R. Ingle) in developing the civil defence scheme, he said.