CIVIL DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24541, 25 March 1943, Page 2

CIVIL DEFENCE

efficient service NEED TO BE PREPARE? Having completed a seven weeks' tour of Australia, during which, at the invitation of the Commonwealth Department of Home Security, he discussed technical matters with civil dp. fence authorities in various parts of the Commonwealth, Mr. C. W. Hamann, deputy chief engineer of the British Ministry of Home Security and technical adviser to the New Zealand Minister of Civil Defence, has returned to the Dominion. Mr. Hamann said the Australian civil defence organisations had, in general, tackled their problems very seriously and rationally. Their personnel showed keenness and had achieved a good standard of efficiency. Speaking of the position in New Zealand. Mr. Hamann said his work here had practically been completed. IJ e wished to take the opportunity of saying that although the danger of air attack appeared to be receding and although there had beou a relaxation of certain precautionary measures, arrangements had been made whereby the civil defence machinery could a't once be put into operation. "But efficiency of service cannot be got simply by touching a switch," } ie added. "It can only be maintained by the people themselves. Japan has shown that she can send aircraft for great distances and although there is no likelihood of blitzes on the British scale, still one aeroplane can do a lot of damage. Therefore, it is imperative to main, tain skill in the emergency service. I do not want to seem 'scary,' but this is the reasonable attitude to adopt."