The Evening Star SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1942. EVACUATION.

Evening Star, Issue 24138, 7 March 1942, Page 6

The Evening Star SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1942. EVACUATION.

It has been made clear during the week as the result of the Prime Minister’s statement that evacuation from cities in the event of attack is to remain a matter for the military authorities, the people being advised to “ stay put ” in the meantime, and also, it would appear, if attack should come. Mr C. J. Lovegrove, controller of evacuation for the Auckland Emergency Precautions Service, prompted Mr Fraser’s statement when he said that “ I fear if we await an emergency before evacuating women and children many lives will be lost.” He subsequently commented, rather vaguely, “ Someone in authority should indicate the circumstances or the degree of emergency under which evacuation should be ordered,” suggesting that he had brought up a subject on which he himself would find it hard to make a decision. Evacuation long before an emergency is not practicable. Long before the German “blitz” on England began women and children evacuated from the cities on the outbreak of war were back home again, preferring to face danger rather than separation from husbands, fathers, and homes. Suggestions that women and-children should be evacuated a week before an emergency are merely fatuous; who can say what will happen in a week’s time—or a month, or any period? Even with tbo emergency would women and children he any more ready to face family disruption by evacuating then ? They have not been in England, where attack has been on a larger scale than it is ever likely to be here. It is strongly evident from the average person’s comments that evacuation hero is not a welcome consideration—those in favour form the minority. It must, however, be concluded that the Army has conceived soiuo evacuation plan to bo effective should danger strike, and that the reaction of civilians (based on a study of happenings elsewhere) has been taken into account.

Mr Fraser’s advice to “ stay put ” is neither heartless nor thoughtless. Although casualties are, regrettably, inevitable in any air raid, danger to the individual is really slight, and particularly so when the public is scattered. Two days ago it was disclosed that in England the number of people using public shelters at the height of tho Luftwaffe’s assaults was only 6 per cent, of the population. The remainder were content to use their own shelters or to remain indoors. Tho loss of life has not been high. In view of that evacuation seems almost an unnecessary, as well as an unpopxdar, measure. If citizens erect some form of shelter about their own homes danger to life may become only a possibility and not a probability, while tho uuheaval attendant upon evacuation may bo averted. In the meantime tbo position in regard to tho local E.P.S. requires some clarification, for various members have more than one duty to perform. An indication should be given them as to which is of prior importance in an emergency*