MR. PARRY HANDS OVER

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 283, 24 August 1940, Page 12

MR. PARRY HANDS OVER

Emergency Precautions

Scheme

FITNESS PLAN TO BE

EXTENDED

"This is not a scheme brought about lately through war conditions, but a long range plan put into working operation some time ago.” said the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, referring to the Emergency Precautions Scheme in a statement last night. Mr. Parry took personal leave of the Ministerial control of the scheme, which will now be administered by the Minister and Associate Minister of National Security, Mr. Semple and Mr. Wilson respectively. “The Government realized early the need for a Dominion-wide organization to deal with emergency conditions arising out of any major disaster, such as flood, fire, or earthquake,” Mr. Parry said. “Steps were then taken to prepare a detailed scheme to serve as a model for local bodies to frame local plans. This was embodied in a booklet which was sent to all local authorities. The booklet contained, precise and practical details, enabling any local body to set about maintaining all essential services whatever might happen to dislocate the norma) routine.

“The principle was the sound one that in each particular locality the local body exercising primary jurisdiction was responsible for the setting up of the emergency organization. The co-operation and assistance of the appropriate Government departments was. of course, provided for. The idea was adopted with genuine New Zealand enthusiasm and commonsense. The scheme, as outlined, was sent to 309 local authorities. More than 120 of these have prepared and completed schemes, and the others are either deciding details or have preparations well in band. Physical Fitness Scheme. “In a few weeks’ time I shall be in a position to give an outline of improvements and extensions now being made to the scheme promoted to help people to attain and maintain physical fitness so needful in these strenuous days of a war-worn world. Good sound health, bodily and mentally, brings happiness and joy to man, woman, boy and girl, and with a full realization of that trite, but nevertheless sound, maxim, 1 feel that the people will not be slow in recognizing the advantages of the scheme to be put into operation for their own and the nation’s benefit. I feel also that the scheme will be received with the same ready assistance and sympathetic understanding by local bodies as iu the past.”