TAKING NO CHANCES

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

TAKING NO CHANCES

AUCKLAND BUSINESS READY FOR BLITZ LEDGERS AND RECORDS DUPLICATED OR PHOTOGRAPHED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, March 7. Most Auckland business men appear to bo taking no chances in the event of enemy bombs causing havoc in offices and shops. Since Japan entered the war there has been widespread activity in the direction of duplicating records and depositing them in the country. Elaborate precautions have been taken by the hanks and the larger insurance offices, and in most cases ledger books and important documents have been photographed and the films stored. The head office ol one financial institution has over 2,000 films, representing tlie company’s complete records compressed into an envelope box. Another concern, instead of duplicating records is pinning its faith to special fire and bombproof cabinets. These safes, said to have undergone tho most severe tests, are similar to those which survived tho London blitz. Some Government departments have been active along the lines indicated, while a number of leading warehouses, especially those concerned with foodstuffs. have arranged for reserve stocks to bo held at various points. Good progress is being made with the decentralisation of supplies of essential commodities by the Food Controller.