CIVIL DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 109, 4 November 1942, Page 3

CIVIL DEFENCE

HOLIDAY PERIOD

NO RELAXATION

Replying to a question as to the policy of the Government regarding civil defence activities, including fire-watching, during the Christmas and New Year holidays, the Minister of Civil Defence (Mr. Wilson) stated today that, in spite of the apparent recent improvement of the position in the Pacific, there was no possibility of any relaxation of civil defence preparedness. "Unfortunately, the enemy is not likely to. retrain from attacking us because our people are in need of a well-earned holiday, and past events have shown that the element of surprise is one of the most successful methods of warfare," said Mr. Wilson "Therefore to declare a civil defence holiday at Christmas, or at any other time would be tantamount to advising the Japanese of a good opportunity The peed of the moment is for more training and sufficient equipment and it would be necessary for all E.P.S organisations, and particularly those in the more vulnerable centres, to ensure that an efficient organisation ■ was; on the alert throughout the holidays. "It is not suggested that everybody should be prevented from taking a holiday, but close check should be kept on the movement of personnel available in the various E.P.S. units to ensure that sufficient are on hand during the holidays to deal with any possible emergency.

"The restrictions arising out of the war situation will prevent people from travelling any great distance from their homes, and many who would normally be going away for their holidays will this year be staying at h-me This should greatly assist the Erne; gehcy Precautions Services in their planning for the holiday period:

"However," concluded the Ministei. "every endeavour will be -iade to lighten the burden of people on holiday, but definitely not at the expense of national security or the safety of the general public."