Civilian Defence Policy Stated

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 50, 1 March 1943, Page 4

Civilian Defence Policy Stated

TRAINING OF PERSONNEL Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Feb. 27. Tho new civil defence policy was announced to-dav by the Civil Defence Minister (Mr. Wilson). He said the two main issues decided upon were: (1) Tho fixing of a first-lino establishment for each E.P.S. on the basis of what was considered to bo the maximum establishment necessary in the light of appreciation of the present danger and the minimum establishment required in an actual emergency Avhich could be quickly reinforced; and (2) tho inauguration of a uniform scheme of training to be carried out by personnel included in the unit establishment of what were termed front-line units, namely wardens, law and order, communications, medical, fire, and works. The training scheme would be based on Ihe course recently completed at the Civil Defence School. Tho selection of personnel for the unit establishments would bo made after due consideration of tho liability of personnel for military service in future so that the units would remain as static as possible. In 25 of the more vulnerable areas the basis of the unit establishment for front-line units had been agreed upon. The total establishment figure for these units in euch of these 25 towns was as follows: Auckland, 7500; Wellington, 5250; Christchurch, 3750; Dunedin, 3000; Whangarei, 900; Hamilton, 1050; Taurango, COO; Gisborne, 750; Napier, 1200; Hastings, 750; New Plymouth, 1200; Wanganui, 1200; Palmerston North, 1050; Masterton, 600 y Lower Hutt, 1050; Petono, 750; Blenheim, 500; Nelson, 800; Westport, COO; Greymouth, 700; Lyttelton, 400; Timaru, 900; Oaniaru, 750; Invercargill, 900; Bluff, 300.

The Minister said the distribution ol these figures between six front-line units in each case would be on approximately the following percentage basis: Wardens, 20; law and order, 10; communications, 10; medical, 20; fire, 20; works, 20. Apart from the geographical situation and tho relative vulnerability of each area, the figures had also been determined with some regard to tho possiblo liability to major earthquakes.

The establishment iu all other districts would eventually be fixed having regard to the same factors.

A new feature would be tho constitution, at least in the four main centres and secondary ports, of mobile squads. These would be additional to the establishment and would have a strength of approximately 10 per cent, of Jthe establishment figures quoted. These squads would be trained concurrently with the frout-lino unit establishments, but would not be attached to any particular unit, so that they could be used by the district wardens as required for reinforcement purposes.

The balance of the E.P.S. personnel in each district would remain attached to their respective units and would constitute unit reinforcements. Such personnel would be required to carry on with a certain amount of truining in basic duties, but it was not considered necessary at the present time to have more than one compulsory parade for them of not more than two hours monthly.

The personnel of the unit establishment and mobile squads would be required to undergo training in a general personnel course of 10 subjects. The syllabus for this course provided for 30 hours’ training, spread over a period of not more than six months. There would be established at least in the 25 more important centres a special training unit which would be charged with the responsibility for training and planning trials. The nucleus of the training unit would be chosen from officers who attended the recent school of instruction.

Tho Minister added that the main object was the constitution of a civil defence force of the minimum proportion based on the present need, which would be efficiently trained on a uniform basis in essential subjects and organised so as to secure tho maximum backing-up between areas or towns, with provision for the retention of all other existing personnel for reinforcement purposes.

So Many—So Little—So Much During Friday’s discussion by Master Builders on tlio question of high building costs one thoughtful man from the south, who did not except defence construction, summed it up very tersely when he said: **Never have so many done so little for so much. M Army’s Record Potato Crop An Army unit stationed near Wanganui harvested its potato crop on Thursday. The yield seemed so extra ordinary that an official of the Department of Agriculture was called in to view the crop. He expressed the opinion that it was one of the best crops produced in the Wanganui district for years, the average being about 20 tons to the acre. The same unit has also produced record crops of carrots, parsnips, pumpkins and tomatoes. National War Savings The “quota” pennant was hoisted at the Palmerston North Post Office .shortly after 9 a.m. on Saturday. The deposits and bonds for National War Savings in the city totalled »2351 5s for last, week, Saturday’s figures being the I largest for the week-end half-day for a considerable period. Bonds were sold on every day, and totalled £1436. A now system in connection with the sale of bonds has been adopted by tho Department and it will operats as from March 1, 1943, and will concern the smaller denominations, £1 and £lO. Tho public should make themselves acquainted with the new T conditions.