RAID SHELTERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24166, 7 January 1942, Page 6

RAID SHELTERS

DANGEROUS AREAS DIVISION OF THE COST GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION! WELLINGTON, Tuesday Regulations authorising local bodies and Emergency Precautions Services to provide emergency shelters arid the construction of shelters by occupiers of dwellings have been published. Making this announcement, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, said the Government had decided that, in keeping with the policy followed in other precautionary measures, shelters for the public in what wore regarded as dangerous areas should be provided through local bodies and Emergency Precautions Services. The procedure set out in the regulations had been fully discussed with representatives of local authorities, and he wished to express the Government's appreciation of the promptness with which agreement had been reached in these vital matters. "Wide powers have been vested in local authorities —the nature of. the problem made this necessary," said Mr. Eraser. "We have to establish a system which will give us with the utmost speed the maximum amount of protection against blast and flying splinters. Provision of Appeal "While affording an opportunity of appeal and the right of compensation to those whose buildings and businesses may be adversely affected, both the Government and local authorities know that the urgent necessity for adequate precautions will be recognised, and they are confident that, goodwill of those concerned, full agreement will be reached without difficulty where build- j ings have to be taken or interfered with. The protection of life and limb is the paramount interest of us all." Generally speaking, Mr. Fraser went on, all the powers in the regulations were subject to the directions of the Minister of National Service, but they would be administered by local authorities, to whom power to finance their proportion of the costs had also been given. Business Premises Local authorities may take buildings or land (public or private) for emergency shelters, as well as for purposes of access or for any branch of the E.P.S. They may erect shelters on or under any thoroughfare (public or private), domain or reserve. A local authority may require the owner of business premises where more than 30 people work or reside to provide an emergency shelter of the approved type for all or any of the persons working or living there. The right of appeal to the Minister is open to all persons affected by the application of these powers, and, to avoid delays, the Minister may delegate his powers to qualified persons. Claims for compensation or claims for variations in rent shall be determined by the Supreme Court where the claim involves more than £SOO or the rent exceeds £25 monthly. Otherwise they shall be determined by a Magistrate's Court. financial Obligations "Three main parties are concerned in the financial obligations—the Government, local authorities and private business," said Mr. Fraser. "The Government's desire is to give local authorities and the E.P.S. every facility to | proceed with the work as soon as preliminary surveys, under preparation for many months, have been completed. Where the shelter—either trenches or buildings—is for public protection, the Government will bear 75 per cent of the cost and local authorities 25 per cent. Rent and compensation, where payable, will be borne in the same proportions. "Where work is exclusively for persons working or residing on premises, the Government will provide 50 per cent of the cost and local authorities and the owner will provide 25 per cent each." Occupiers of Houses The regulations also deal with shelters provided by occupiers of dwelling houses for themselves and families, notwithstanding any limitation of their interest or any agreement or the like. The cost of providing shelter for dwelling houses will be entirely a matter for the owner or occupier, as the case may be. Assistance in the way of advice and the provision of plans has already been given by local authorities and the E.P.S. Householders should seek the advice and assistance of E.P.S. technical staffs in any case of doubt. The protective measures provided for in the regulations will be applied in degrees varying with the likelihood of danger from hostile action. Standard Plans Comprehensive plans, together with a code, based upon British practice and experience, for trenching, the erection of overhead shelters, and the strengthening of buildings have already been prepared by technical officers of the Public Works Department with specialised knowledge and circulated by the Standards Institute to local authorities. Emergency Precautions Services in the main centres have had advice and assistance from technical advisory committees consisting of well-qualified architects and engineers, and all works approved for emergency shelters will, as far as practicable, be carried out in accordance with standard plans and code. Arrangements will be made for work to proceed as soon as the district engineer of the Public Works Department is satisfied that it is in conformity with the policy laid down and is necessary and reasonable, having regard to the peculiar circumstances in each place.