CIVIL DEFENCE HANDBOOK

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30155, 12 June 1963, Page 8

CIVIL DEFENCE HANDBOOK

Distribution Criticised

The chairman of the civil defence committee set up by combined local bodies in Christchurch (Cr. H. P. Smith) yesterday criticised the announcement that a civil defence handbook for householders is to be distributed nationally.

Cr. Smith said he thought it surprising that the Government was considering issuing the handbook when the combined local bodies’ scheme was only just beginning to take, shape.

“lit seems to be most undesirable that householders should receive a document from the Government and later another from the local body concerned.” he said. The acting Regional Commissioner for Civil Defence in the South Island (Major R. G. Aitken) said last evening that he thought there was some confusion. Two publications were being put out by the Government. These were ‘The Civil Defence Planning Guide for Local Authorities” and the householders’ handbook.

Major Aitken said that as far as he knew the latter was now being printed, but he diid not know when it was to be distributed. It was an entirely different document from that meant for the guidance of local bodies. “I should think it will assist rather than impede their work.” he said. The local bodies’ booklet, he said, would give anyone who read it an excellent appreciation of the aims of civil defence and the organisation.