WORK OF E.P.S.

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 107, 1 November 1941, Page 6

WORK OF E.P.S.

LACK OF CO-ORDINATION

ALLEGED

Members of the Kilbirnie E.P.S., No. 22 district, passed, a motion on Thursday expressing disappointment at the lack of co-ordination which is said to exist between the central authorities of the organisation and district groups. Particular reference was made to the preparations for the trial black-out on November 9. There were 80 members present.

The district warden, Mr. W. A. Dentice, reported that on Tuesday evening last the central E.P.S. authorities had called the wardens of several neighbouring districts to a meeting in the Constable Street fire station to discuss the black-out arrangements. When the members arrived they found that no steps had been taken to arrange for a lecturer or instructor, nor was there anyone in authority present to take the meeting. Considerable confusion had resulted, and the meeting, so far as Kilbirnie was concerned, had finally been abandoned.

"We would have welcomed a lead from the. central authorities on this important question," Mr. Dentice went on, "but if they had nothing to tell us. it was quite unnecessary-for them to call us together, as we already had our black-out arrangements well in hand for discussion at our usual weekly meeting. If the central E.P.S. authorities wish to control they must also be prepared to co-operate. We cannot have one without the other."

The opinion was expressed that the district warden should be the centre of all E.P.S. activity in each district, and that he "should work in close collaboration with the controlling authorities.

The following motion was carried unanimously:—"That this meeting of the Kilbirnie (No. 22) district'of the E.P.S. wishes to register its dis* appointment at the lack of co-ordina-tion shown by the controlling authorities when dealing with vital matters affecting the various districts, particularly in connection with the proposed black-out on November, 9. The action of headquarters in calling meetings of wardens without giving a lead upon procedure or taking any apparent interest in them is in our opinion evidence that the organisation would function more efficiently if all district wardens were invited to co-operate with the central authorities in all matters affecting E.P.S. districts."