EVACUATION SCHEME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23969, 20 May 1941, Page 10

EVACUATION SCHEME

NEW SOUTH WALES COAST CIVILIANS IN EMERGENCY SYDNEY, May 17 In a survey of the National Emergency Service of New South Wales, the State director, Colonel Lorenzo, stated that the plans provide for the evacuation of 2.'38,000 people from the coast in an emergency. They would he accommodated in homes, halls and shearing sheds. There would be no wholesale or indiscriminate evacuation of children and women, said Colonel Lorenzo. Movement would he as a family unit, and groups with similar community interests would, as far as possible, be transferred to the same area. The evacuated people would be provided with ration tickets for food, which would be,obtained Through normal channels —the butcher, baker, and grocer. Chief wardens in the various rural areas would control the organisation. "No refugee camps will be established," said Colonel Lorenzo. "No mothers will be separated from their children. The accommodation available is likely to be sufficient in any circumstances which can he foreseen at present. The only compulsory evacuation will be from 'battle areas' defined by the military authorities. "Because school children are evacuated from the East End of London, it does not follow that we must evacuate school children from any part of Sydney," he added. "Because of Sydney's 'spread,' our A.li.P. problem is less difficult."