INVASION RISK

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 168, 15 June 1940, Page 8

INVASION RISK

EVACUATION IN BRITAIN. COMPULSION POSSIBLE. <British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 13. Tn a statement in the House of Commons on the evacuation the Minister of Health (Mr M. — MacDonald) spoke of the risk of a Cerman invasion of Britain and said the enemy would probably attempt to seize certain places on the coast and occupy them as bridgeheads through which to pour men and materials. The British forces resisting such attempts ought not to be hampered by refugees crowding the reads and civilians would do the best service by staying where they were. ‘lt is time, however, that the resistance of our forces to the enemy would be simpler and easier if, before the operations started, the civilian population in those places was reduced to a minimum,” he added. “In those circumstances it would be desirable prior to the operations starting that there should be an evacuation of a considerable portion of the local population. The prospect is under review every 24 hours by the Government, and in a case like that some evacuation may be necessary for military reasons and the Government does not rule out the possibility of compulsory evacuation.” NO ABSOLUTE SAFETY.

The Government had decided against compulsory evacuation irom congested areas. It was true that people taken to reception areas would be much safer, but the Government could not guarantee absolute safety. We were fighting an enemy who bombed peaceful villages and machine-gunned civil- | ians working in the fields. If the Government compelled evacuation anc. some were killed it would be assuming a heavy responsibility which shoind not be assumed short of absolute military necessity. Large numbers of parents who were determined that they would not be separated. from their children would break the law if evacuation were compulsory. The discipline of the nation would break down. Another argument against compulsory evacuation was that the great majority of men and women in the congested areas were concerned with vital war production. For these reasons the Government had selected certain categories for organised evacuation. Expectant mothers were taken from London daily, but the great majority of evacuees were school children. HOSPITAL SYSTEM. Mr MacDonald said that a great hospital . system was being established throughout the country for civilian and military casualties., Fitty hospitals were treating several thousand military casualties from Dunkirk. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr It. Aasheton) announced in the House of Commons that the cancellation of workers’ holidays involving,complete stoppages must continue. The August Bank Holiday would be cancelled under the Defence Regulations. Where practicable holidays should be' taken in rotation and spread over a period of months without interfering with urgent war requirements or transport or the other essential services. Those spending their holidays in the country were urged to offer kelp on the land.