SAFETY OF CHILDREN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24850, 25 February 1942, Page 4

SAFETY OF CHILDREN

AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS EVACUATION OF SCHOOLS PLAN ADOPTED IN AUCKLAND (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Feb. 24. As the result of consultations between representatives of theiEmef gency Precautions Service, and the Auckland Education Board a revised scheme for safeguarding school children in the event of a raid has been drawn up for circulation to district wardens and.city block wardens, who are asked to \confer with the principals of all' schools in their areas for the purpose of working out detailed plans suited to local conditions. The order issued to the wardens directs them to make representations to the school committees on the need for constructing trenches adjacent to schools. Regarding the care of children in an emergency, the order states that differing conditions at schools.make it desirable to lay down guiding principles only. If prior notice can be given of an anticipated emergency the children are to remain at home or if at school are to be conducted to their homes. If the children are in school on the sounding of the warning signal and enemy action is in progress the children are to be directed to immediate shelter in the building itself or to trenches or other cover in or close to the school grounds. They are to remain there ..until the "all clear" sounds, and instructions are issued from the E.P.S. central control room that they may be conducted to their homes. ?, •

If the children are in school on the sounding of the warning signal, and enemy action is not in progress, every effort is to be made to get them to their own homes or to the nearby homes of other children whose parents are willing to provide temporary hospitality. ' These principles are to apply to postprimary • schools except in regard to senior pupils of not less than 16 years of age who have been allocated specific E.P.S. duties. DANGER AREAS EVACUATION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 24.. The removal of women and children from danger areas,to safer districts was discussed at a meeting held in Wellington to-day, when it was decided to advise progressive evacuation, where circumstances permitted, to friends or relatives in country areas, if such arrangements could be made privately. This course was advocated to relieve the burden on responsible evacuation officials in the event of steps having to be taken to deal with a general emergency.