IF WELLINGTON WERE RAIDED

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 124, 19 February 1941, Page 8

IF WELLINGTON WERE RAIDED

What People Should Do

ARRANGEMENTS MADE

FOR SAFETY

Statement By The Mayor

If \\ elliiigluii were attacked —it enemy planes laden with bombs were roaring overhead, it shells from a raider out at sea were bursting in the city—what should the ordinary man or woman do ; Ihe mayor.’Mr. Hislop, answered this question yesterday. Members of the Emergency Precautions Scheme organization, he said, knew what to do if a raid came; each man had his post to <>o to. But. it was essential that the general public also should know what to do; that they should be prepared to do it calmly. Il they did not, unnecessary confusion and loss of life would be inevitable. "We don’t want to alarm people.” said Mr. Hislop, "but we. would rather alarm some of them now than sec them killed or injured later.” Actually he did not believe that many New Zealanders would be alarmed by consideration of measures designed to secure tlieit own safetv in an emergency. Ou the other hand, a full realization of Ute possibilities of war was desirable; it might assist, in obtaining the -1000 men still needed for the Emergence precautions Scheme. •■['don’t envisage anything like the raid* that have taken place in Britain." said Mr. Hislop. "I don't expect large numbers of planes overhead. or large concentrations of ships for a bombardment. Hit-and-Kuti Raid. "What does seem a possibility, however, is a hit-aml-run raid. By that I mean that an enemy vessel might get within range and fire a number of shells. , . "Such a vessel would always hate to keep in mind the probability of its bein''' attacked before it got back to its base, it would leave to retain enough shells to light a sea battle for its own existence. The number of shells that could be fired in a bombardment, would, therefore, be limited. Because of the difficulty of evading the watch kept, by the navy and air force, it is unlikely that more than one ship would get within range. Also, because onlv a ship that had evaded that watch could be effective, it seems unlikely that, any appreciable warning of a'raid could be given. “Such an enemy ship might carry one or two aeroplanes to come over, possibly to drop bombs, of which they could carry only a limited number, but principally for the purpose of ’spotting.’ or indicating the target to the ship. ~ "It should be remembered." said Mr. Hislop, "that we are not defenceless. We have planes here, and there can be no doubt that; they would give a bad time to any raider, both at sea and in the air. However, the necessity for adequate precautions is obvious." Warning System. The system by which warning of a raid would be given was at present only an improvised one. Ixiud sirens, different from any in use for other purposes, would be sounded. Exiieriments were being made, however, with the object of deciding on a uniform air raid warning for the whole Dominion. The results of the experiments was expected to be announced soon. If a raid started suddenly in the daytime, while people were at their work, they should go in an orderly way to Hie'best shelter available. This would mainly lie in the ground doors and basements of big, modern buildings. Direction to suitable shelter would be given by E.P.S. men. People should keep away from the waterfront area, which, in general, would be a target. The protection of school children had been discussed with the education authorities and arrangements were being made to provide adequate shelter for them. The nature of this shelter would vary, according to circumstances, from trenches to .more elaborate forms.

If a raid came at night people should, in general, remain at their homes. “A circular is being prepared and will soon be sent to every’ household, telling people how to construct in their own gardens a shelter which will give almost full protection against anything but a direct hit." said Mr. Hislop. This was a trench. 7ft. deep and about 3ft.. Gin. wide. To keep the trench in good order it was essential that if should have a waterproof covering and lie well drained. 'l’lte more elaborate type of domestic shelter used in Britain could not be built in New Zealand because of the shortage of steel. Commttiial ,Shelters. I n forma I ion about, how to deal with incipient tires caused by incendiary bombs was also to be sent to all householders soon. Further instruction would be given by tire patrol members of the E.l’.S. To extinguish an incendiary bomb, sand should be used, not water, except win i sprayed by a special apparatus. “Supplies of dry sand will soon be made available to householders at certain places in each district." said Mr. Hislop. "This sand should always be kept dry. People should get receptacles, about the size of an ordinary bucket, ready now."

' I Emergency first aid posts had been 1 I fixed at points in the city and suburbs. 1 ‘ I Signboards had already been prepared I mid distributed to the posts. I Casualties would be taken to the 1 emergency posts by medical personnel t ! attached to them or by fescue parties ‘'. under wardens. After treatment. , ' minor cast's would be sent to tlieii J I homes, more serious ones to the hos I pital. Arrangements had been made .! to clear certain ward,- of llw Ims , | pital for t his'purpose. ; ' Need lo Avoid Panic. < -'ll is essential that if a raid 1-01110'. pmiic should be avoided." said Mr I Hislop "All E.l’.S. membcrr- will neat' ~ t badges with lit)' mark of their par 1 I I ienla r braneli. mid people should fol 1 j low their directions as to what they 1 I should do and where they should go. s I "There must be no general exodus 1 I from Wellington There are many s t reasons for this: one is that it would I gravely interfere with lhe work of 1 the E.l’.S. organization mid create a 'i ■ danger as great as that from which ' people would be trying to escape.

••No n rraiiuciiieiil uau uuaraulut complete safely lo everyone." said Mr I lislop. "but it is for iis to do till

~.I H 1,, meet el fell nisi anees that ear .easomthly be anticipated."