PANIC AND SAFEGUARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20917, 6 January 1930, Page 6

PANIC AND SAFEGUARD.

The terrible tragedy at Paisley on New Year's Eve will be the subject of a searching inquiry as a result of which safeguards calculated to minimise the possibility of the repetition of such an occurrence will no doubt be authoritatively recommended and adopted. But this sad affair, involving the death of seventy children and injury to many others, surely conveys in its very circumstances, which have already been made painfully plain, a lesson for every community where there may be the possibility of anything like a similar happening. In the words of an official, " the children were killed when trying to escape from a danger that did not exist, but the cry of 'Fire' had gone up, and it was too late to avert a panic;" It is to be borne in mind that the audience at the Paisley theatre was practically composed of children, of whom there were some fifteen hundred present. It seems t$ be a reasonable assumption that in this; circumstance the real cause of the disastrous panic was discoverable—apart from the actual ground of alarm—and that had there been any considerable proportion of adults present the fear that seized the gathering and led to the fatal rush to get out of the building would never have gained the upper hand. It is a most pathetic aspect of the tragedy, this unreasoning terror that in a few moments turned this big audience of children into a panicstricken, rushing, trampling, refugeseeking horde. The conclusion presents itself rather forcibly that, had there been persons present capable of exercising a calming, reassuring influence over the unfortunate children, all might have been well. And this raises the question whether, in the case of entertainments of the kind, organised particularly for children, the provision of adequate adult supervision for protective purposes should not as a matter of course be required. The restraining, confidence-restoring influence of a few adults, especially of responsible officials in uniform, should be invaluable in circumstances that might otherwise lead to panic among children assembled together in large numbers without parental surveillance. The presence of persons able to* exert authority and exercise control must appear to be very necessary in the case of entertainments which bring children together in large indoor gatherings. Something further, is no doubt desirable in the more general instruction of children in regard to their behaviour in situations of an unaccustomed character which make demands upon

their self-control. Fire drill is not all uncommon feature of the educational curriculum, and the field of training ■which it touches might probably be further explored to advantage. Crowd psychology is a rather baffling thing at the best of times, but the child-mind is very .receptive, and the lesson of dis* cipline, calm behaviour, and thought for others under stress of disturbing circumstances can never be altogether wasted, and may no doubt be inculcated to some purpose • The tragedy at Paisley must have caused many people to reflect upon the possibility of anything of the kind happening nearer home, even in our own community. The Dunedin ■ City Council should scarcely need any reminder that it is the guardian of the public safety in respect of places of popular entertainment, and that the public looks to it to ensure that no safeguard, in respect of the provision of adequate means of speedy egress from such places in the event of emergency, is neglected.