Civil Defence

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31659, 20 April 1968, Page 12

Civil Defence

Sir,—We were taught that the best people to handle a problem such as Christchurch had last week were undoubtedly police and the services They all belong to full-time professional organisations and their equipment and discipline make them ideal for the job. Civil defence should be used only to supplement their activities if the size of the operation is beyond their control. In our own local situation the decision was made that the police should retain control At that point, civil defence could do nothing unless called upon by the police for fur ther assistance. It was absurd for an amateur like Mr Kirk to intervene. Imagine the reaction of the captain of a ship if one of the passengers started telling him how to handle it in a moment of crisis. If civil defence is really to be given high priority it will cost New Zealand a great deal of money.—Yours, etc., M. GREENE. April 19, 1968. Sir,—lf more members of Parliament, city councillors and community leaders showed the energy and spirit of Mr Kirk?the general public would have more faith in them. At least the Prime Minister has come out in his support. Watch the flow of ink stop now.—Yours, etc., GRATEFUL. April 18, 1968. Sir,—The Prime Minister is to be congratulated on rising to the occasion and supporting Mr Kirk in his criticism of the inadequacies of our civil defence organisation.— Yours, etc., FACE FACTS. April 18, 1968. Sir,—Apart from the police, the soldiers, etc., Red Cross workers, a few individual civil defence workers, and those who suffered from the floods, the only person who bothered to see for himself, and to help where he could, was the member for Lyttelton, Mr Kirk. Anyone who is criticising his part in the disastrous week is doing so with an ulterior motive.—Yours, etc., BE FAIR. I April 18, 1968. [This correspondence is, now closed. Ed., “The, Press.” 1