EMERGENCY PLANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24838, 11 February 1942, Page 4

EMERGENCY PLANS

DECKS CLEARED FOR ACTION MAGNITUDE OF THE TASK (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 10. Replying to criticism both in Wellington and throughout New. Zealand of the E.P.S. organisation, the Minister of National Service. Mr R. Semple, to-day gave a full outline of the work done to bring the organisation from a peace to a war-tiir.e footing. Commenting on the recent conference, at which he said he had received 100 per cent, co-operation from „ the representatives present, Mr Semple said the decks had now been cleared for. action. The necessary machinery, finance and labour had been provided by the. Government, and the responsibility for the detailed organisation and the carrying out of the work was one for the local authorities. .The Government had over-riding powers if a local authority failed to do the job, but there was no evidence that these powers would be necessary in respect to any particular case. . Expert advisers had been appointed by the department to get in touch with the local bodies and give the necessary advice, and they would guide the Minister in any action.necessary where the local authority did not live up to its responsibility. Mr Semple emphasised that it was a mighty task for any Government to transform the country from a peacetime to a war-time basis, and said that this could only be done with the full co-operation of every citizen.