Compulsion for Civil Defence

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 17, 21 January 1941, Page 5

Compulsion for Civil Defence

BRITISH FIRE-FIGHTING RUGBY, Jan. 19. Broadcasting to-day on the measure of compulsion introduced to fill the fire-fighting ranks in the danger areas, the Minister of Home Security, Mr Herbert Morrison, said that the blows and buffetings administered by the Nazis during the first half of winter had done nothing to weaken or daunt the British people, who could say to themselves: “Well done so far.” He stressed the fact that, however brilliant Britain’s triumphs abroad might be, the “Battle of Britain” still remained the first issue and must be won. First of all, Britain must ward off and beat back the advance guards of invasion—the air-raiders who nightly attacked British cities and were now increasingly using their latest and greatest weapon showers of firebombs. Already the hundreds of thousands of men and women who responded to his appeal on New Years Eve had accomplished much, said Mr Morrison. No fire-raid this year had succeeded, as they would have done without these volunteers, and some raids had shown the enemy a very poor return for his efforts. But the problem was not yet solved, and the natioh needed yet more fire-fighters. The measure would enable the ranks to be filled.