A.R.P. POLICY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24526, 7 February 1941, Page 8

A.R.P. POLICY

UNIFORMITY SOUGHT AUSTRALIAN SCHEME (By Tasman Air Mail) SYDNEY, Jan. '3O. For the first time since the war started an attempt is to be made to introduce a uniform air-raid precautions policy in Australia. At present, each State has its own organisation, operating independently and somewhat vaguely. That a spirit of co-operation is growing, even to include New Zealand, is illustrated by a statement of the New South Wales Minister in charge of the National Emergency Services, Mr Bruxner, that he had agreed to a request by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr Fraser, for the use of the incendiary bomb film produced by the New South Wales National Emergency Services. Copies of the film had been sent to the New Zealand Government, which had adopted it as the official standard for A.R.P. work in the Dominion The authorities in Christchurch, New Zealand, had also been given permission to use the New South Wales text book on the treatment, of persons injured by incendiary bombs Within the next two or three weeks, representatives of the Commonwealth and State Governments will confer to discuss future A.R.P. plans The New South Wales Premier, Mr Mair, who has been unflagging in his efforts to give a measure of security to the people of this State against possible raids, will propose at the conference the creation of a Federal Ministry for Home Security. Among the matters to be discussed are the provision of air raid shelters and the provision of financial aid by the Commonwealth Government. New South Wales has already asked the Commonwealth for £500,000 to enable shelters to be built, and also for an additional amount to pay for the installation and rental of telephone lines used in the warning and lighting systems. Arranging a visit to Australia of a British expert; A.R.P. personnel uniforms, and the purchase of supplies that might be difficult to obtain at short notice, such as medical supplies, warning signals, fire equipment, sandbags, and shelter materials are other matters set down for discussion at the conference. Subjects on which the delegates will seek a uniform policy between the States are: Legislation; evacuation plans; scale of payment in the event of personnel being required for fulltime duty; type of warning signals; lighting restrictions; the use of wireless (it is understood that in some States short-wave wireless facilities used by public utility organisations will be closed down, whilst in other States'they will be permitted to operate). Relation of A.R.P. personnel to auxiliary defence units, rifle clubs, etc.; A.R.P. signs; recruitment, registration and training of personnel; titles of personnel and equipment; insurance to provide for compensation to owners of buildings and property damaged by air raids; compensation to full-time or volunteer personnel who may be injured either during training or enemy attack; and draft instructions for issue to the public in the event of enemy attack. ■