HOME DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 121, 15 February 1941, Page 12

HOME DEFENCE

Responsibility Of Local

Bodies

QUESTION OF EXPENSE

The liability of local bodies for expenses incurred under the Emergency Precautions Scheme and the Home Guard was discussed at the monthly meeting of the Makara County Council yesterday. A scheme for emergency precautions in Makara County was submitted and approved, and the chairman, Cr. L. Windley, as chairman of the E.P.S.

executive for the county, was authorized to put it into operation. A circular was received from the New Zealand Counties’ Association stating that the Auditor-General had made the following comments on Emergency Service Corps expenditure:—

"The Audit office has uo power to fix a limit to the amount which a local authority may expend under the authority of Regulation 7 (1) of the Emergency Precautions Regulations, 1040. Regarding the expenses incurred by the Emergency Reserve Corp, county councils are authorized by Regulation 3 (5) of the Emergency Reserve Corps Regulations, 1940, to contribute any sums of money to the funds or for the purpose of the corps or any branch thereof." In answer to a request that the Department of National Service should give an indication whether or not the Government intended to refund to local bodies any expenditure incurred on Emergency Reserve Corps work, the Hon. D. Wilson, on behalf of the Minister of National Service, made the following comments: — Origin of Scheme.

“When the emergency precautions scheme was introduced local authorities were invited by the Government io organize on a definite plan emergency measures for the protection of the communities within their districts. The whole scheme was based on the generally accepted principle that in such circumstances it is the responsibility of the local authorities to provide protection for persons and property within their own districts. On this basis emergency organizations have, been set up in practically all districts throughout the Dominion. “The basis has not. been altered since the war, except that in the main centres and other thickly-populated areas which are considered to be liable to direct attack by an enemy, the Government has decided to meet the cost of paying and uniforming an emergency lire service, together with part cost of the equipment of such services. It is also considering what airraid shelters and anti-gas equipment, etc., are necessary in such areas. “These considerations do not apply in the smaller centres to an appreciable degree, and it is suggested that as the services of the personnel are given voluntarily, the cost to the local authorities in such centres is not considerable.

“In the case of the Home Guard also the preliminary expenditure -incurred by local authorities is not large, and in most cases it is being regarded by them as a contribution to the national effort of building up a strong and efficient .force for home defence, and particularly for the defence of their own localities. It will be understood, of course, that the major expense which would be incurred when and after the Home Guard is mobilized by proclamation as part of the defence forces would be met by the military author!ties?’ The chairman said that the opinion expressed by Air. A\ ilsou was somewhat. inconsistent, as the Government had given local bodies authority to raise loans. 1 Local Bodies’ Responsibility. Ci*. R. W. Botbamley said that, there was a definite responsibility on local bodies to see that the E.P.S. and Home Guttrd were put on a proper footing. He moved that the council vote £lOO for preliminary expenses within the county. The chairman: We have recommended payments for the Home Guard. Cr. S. G. Luxton said that the ratepayers and people were now realizing that it was necessary to have an organization in each district. The people in his district. South Alakara. were enthusiastic. Tito chairman said there would be no question about, the council meeting rite preliminary expenses, both for the Home Gnaril and the E.P.S. in the country. They recognized the responsibility of the council, but wanted 'o know how far they would have to go. Cr. J. Purchase said he considered that the cost of keeping up the E.P.S. ami Home Guard should come out of the Consolidated Fund. On the motion of Cr. Botimmley, the executive of the E.P.S. was authorized to put in operation the scheme proposed for the county, with power to meet preliminary expenses.

Cr. Botbamley said tin* council’s scheme was only a lead, from which the central committee might depart. On the motion of Ct*. Windley, seconded by Cr. Botbamley. it was decided to apply for sufficient benzine to enable members of the Red Cross branch from surrounding districts to attend the weekly first aid class at Porirua.