EMERGENCY SCHEME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23717, 25 July 1940, Page 12

EMERGENCY SCHEME

APPLICATION TO SCHOOLS PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION A preliminary discussion of what should be done at schools in the event of a war emergency took place among headmasters and representatives of various schools in the council chambei of the Town Hall last night. The Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, presided. A committee is to _be set up to confer with the technical advisors of tho Emergency Precautions Scheme Organisation. Should a state of -emergency be declared, Sir Ernest said, schools would be closed immediately. Uniformity of rules was desirable, but it was clear that there would be instances where it might not be practicable to . havo hard and fast standards, but rather to have a pattern that would fit with the particular requirements of each locality. The need for an elaborate scheme, such as that prescribed for districts in England, was not present here. Every conceivable requirement must be envisaged, Sir Ernest continued. He had given considerable thought to sporadic air raids or invasion. Both questions required careful consideration, and periodic instruction should be given and the children drilled, especially in the need for calm, disciplined behaviour. Adequate supplies of sand or soil and a number of long-handled shovels should be kept in accessible positions in tho schools for immediate use against incendiary bombs. Drill in this- work should be undertaken by sonior pupils. _ A further meeting will bo held to bring down practical suggestions to_ bo forwarded to the controlling organisation.