FUTURE OF THE E.P.S.

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 20, 25 January 1943, Page 4

FUTURE OF THE E.P.S.

If, as has been suggested, there is to be an alteration in the system of E.P.S. training, involving a compulsory period of two hours each week, then the public are entitled to something more definite than they have been told so far. In the first place there was a report from Christchurch that the newly-appointed Director of E.P.S. Training had informed a life-saving official that all E.P.S. personnel would have to undergo two hours' compulsory training each week. The Minister of Civil Defence (Mr. Wilson), when this report was referred to him, explained that the director had made no such communication, officially or unofficially, but before his appointment had written a personal letter to someone associated with life-saving expressing his own. opinion on the subject. The Minister neither confirmed nor denied the re-

ported intention to introduce such a system, contenting himself with the statement that a course of training for wardens would open in Wellington on February 1 and that details of the proposed scheme would then be made public. This has had a disturbing effect on the public and the sooner the matter is cleared up the better. It can be readily agreed that if an E.P.S. organisation is necessary, it should be as efficient as it is possible to make it, but the test that must always be applied to any system of training is whether it is really worthwhile and necessary in the interests. of security. Nothing is more calculated to annoy E.P.S. personnel than a feeling that new schemes of training are being devised merely with the idea of "keeping them hopping." Many men and women have devoted much more than two hours a week to E.P.S. work, especially in the early stages of the organisation, and they are no doubt prepared to go on doing so, provided that it can be shown that the work undertaken is necessary. They want to feel sure that they are not wasting their time. It is important, too, that in tha working out of plans for any extension of training due consideration should be given to those who are working long hours, either in essential industries or in order to make up for the absence of staff. Their opportunities for rest and recreation are limited and any extra burden might prove unreasonable. Admittedly there are others whose hours of work have not been extended and who are not being called upon to give any extra service to the community. But an E.P.S. training plan cannot be devised to cover, only those who have ample leisure. It must embrace many whose time is already fully occupied and whose strength is taxed. The plan, therefore, must be such as to be well worth the time to be given to it by hard-working men and women.