N.Z. SCHOOL SHELTERS

Grey River Argus, 26 February 1942, Page 2

N.Z. SCHOOL SHELTERS

IN VULNERABLE AREAS Government’s Measures [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 2j. In a statement on measures being taken for the protection of school children, the Minister of Education (Mr Mason) said: Over a month ago, the War Cabinet approved of the Government’s bearing the full cost oi. shelters in State and private schools, in certain vulnerable areas. im. procedure for obtaining these was .working very 1 smoothly. The construction work was already well n progress at many schools. It was obvious that, with the safety 01 so many children at stake, no chances could be taken with the type or shelter provided. It necessarily mok a little time to devise specific plans for school shelters that conformed to the shelter code laid down by the

G °ln er Se n Sistricts the Education Boards, besides arranging for .building shelters at schools .under then control, had given technical assistance to the controlling authorities ot post-primary and private schools m vulnerable areas. All controlling authorities whose schools lie in vulnerable areas were informed of the fact. It was recognised there might weh be some potential danger at schools outside these areas, but obviously all the schools cannot be provided for at once. Nothing should be allowed to interfere with th e work being done in the vulnerable areas. As soon as this is s.o far under way in any district that an extension of the work to other areas will not) interfere with it, permission will be given to extending the scheme to schools in somewhat less dangerous zonqs. Shovels, buskets, and sand were supplied to the controlling authorities of schools in vulnerable areas some time ago. Every effort is being made to secure bucket-pumps, buckets, and lengths of hose for schools where the need is greatest. Meantime, committees have been urged to improvise. A general Government arrangement is being made with regard to identification discs, and this will be announced shortly. Parents are asked to provide identification labels. Meanwhile, it was thought that the Provision of emergency food supplies at schools could be made by the parents themselves. Mr Mason pointed out that the E.P.S. had already arranged a series of lirst-aid posts to cover ail districts which might be affected by enemy action. It would be wrong to duplicate this in school's where, in general, there is no one qualified to deal with anything but minor injuries. Consideration is being given to providing supplies of small emergency lirst-aid kits, additional to those which the children were already bringing. Mr Mason pointed out that practically all schools had been well drilled in rapid exit from buildings, and in efficient dispersal to homes, and teachers were informed a year ago that, whatever their other obligations, their first duty in an emergency during school hours is to see that the children under their care are dispersed to their homes. AUCKLAND SCHEME. AUCKLAND, February 24. As the result, of consultations between representatives of the Emergency Precautions Service and the Auckland Education Board, a revised scheme for safeguarding \pf. school children in the event of a raid has been drawn up for circulation to district wardens and city block wardens. The .wardens are asked to confer with the principals of all schools in their areas to work out detailed plans suited to local conditions. The order issued to the wardens directs them to make representations

to school committees on the need for constructing trenches adjacent to schools. Regarding the care of children hi an emergency. the order states that differing conditions at schools mane it deisrable to iay down guiding principles only. If prior notice can be given of the anticipated emergency, the children are to remain ar home, or if at school, are to be conducted to their homes. If the children! are in school on the sounding of the warning signal, and enemy action is in progress, the children are to be directed to immediate shelter in the building itself or to trenches or other cover in or close to school grounds. They are to remain there until the “Alii Clear” sounds and instructions • are issued from the E.P.S. control room that they may be conducted to their homes., If the children are in school on the sounding of the warning signal, and enemy action is not in progress, every effort is to be made to get them to their own homes or to nearby homes of other children whose parents are willing to provide temporary hospitality. These principles are to apply to post-primary schools, except in regard to senior pupils not less than 16 years of age, who have been allocated specific E.P.S. duties.