CIVIL DEFENCE PLANS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29251, 8 July 1960, Page 14

CIVIL DEFENCE PLANS

Questions By Mr Tennent (Neto Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 17. A lead from the Government on New Zealand's civil defence organisation was pitifully absent. Mr W. B. Tennent (Opposition, Manawatu) said in the House of Representatives tonight Speaking in the Address-in-Reply debate, Mr Tennent said that New Zealand was the only country in the Commonwealth without a proper civil defence scheme.

Mr Tennent said that one Minister said, “Great Scot we didn't expect you to go half as far as that” when a local body recently explained its civil defence plans to him.

Mr Tennent asked the Government to answer nine questions on civil defence. These were: (1) What is the Government’s policy on civil defence? Is the White Paper issued a year ago still the basis of the Government's policy? (2) What financial assistance is the Government giving to local authorities for training and equipment? (Mr Tennent said he understood the only money the Government had set aside was £lO,OOO for its own civil defence administration. He said money was urgently needed for medical supplies and fire-fighting equipment). (3) What training syllabus has the Government Issued to local authorities for basic civil defence training? (Mr Tennent said he understood the only information sent was a manual on transport). (4) Was the Minister of Civil Defence (Mr Anderton) aware that training for local disasters from natural causes was not adequate for disasters from atomic and hydrogen bombs? (5) How many people have been sent to the Civil Defence College in Australia, and at what cost? (Mr Tennent said it would be better to get the British civil defence authorities to send trained men to New Zealand to train workers here).

(6) What wtil be the Army’s role in civil defence? (7) Why does the Government not adopt the existing civil defence organisation in the United Kingdom and Australia? (8) What authority do the three regional civil defence commissioners have in assisting local authorities? (9) What is the number of civil defence workers enrolled in New Zealand? . - Mr Tennent was still speaking when the debate was interrupted by the adjournment.