EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 April 1941, Page 10

EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS

ACTION IN SCHOOLS, [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION,] CHRISTCHURCH, April 23. Surprise that more had not been done towards the application of the Emergency Precautions Scheme to schools in Christchurch was expressed by Mr J. W. Preen, a Timaru representative on the Canterbury Education Board-, at the meeting of the Board to-day. He described the steps already taken in Timaru. Delays in the supply of information by the authorities in Wellington were criticised by Mr C. S. Thompson. The discussion began when Mr Preen asked what was being done about the Emergency Precautions Scheme in Christchurch schools. : Mr Thompson: When we can get information from the National Service Department then we can go ahead. Until then we can’t. “We have written twice and nothing has .been forthcoming,” Mr Thompson added. “If that information is not made available, the committee should resign. We have done everything possible, and have told the department that we will not be responsible for the results of its delays.” Mr R. Wild said something seemed to be lacking somewhere. On the West Coast he had seen a circular sent out by the Education Department concerning precautions in schools. He remembered there had been something in it about making trenches. Mr Preen: Hasn’t this board received that circular from the Education Department?

Mr Thompson: Yes. Mr Preen; That circular asked for the formation of a committee, and gave details of what teachers should do. I am sorry to hear that Christchurch has not gone further than this.

The chairman (Mr G. W. Armitage): You can’t say that. Mr Preen: Yes, I can. We in the south called a meeting- of all primary and secondary head teachers. Mr Thompson: We have done that. ■ “We in Timaru have already practised the evacuation of schools, and planned the 'sheltering of children from the country,” continued Mr Preen. “We have made arrangements about refreshments, and getting in touch with parents. As for the proposal to dig trenches, we asked who would provide the labour. No idea was given of who was to bear any costs incurred in the scheme. We have already held practices, and though we are waiting for certain information we have held fire guard drill.” Mr Thompson moved that the board go into committee so that he could make a statement. The board went into committee.