POSSIBILITY OF GAS ATTACKS

Southland Times, Issue 23675, 25 November 1938, Page 4

POSSIBILITY OF GAS ATTACKS

Training To Start In Four Centres LOCAL BODIES ASKED TO CO-OPERATE (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 24. Classes to receive instruction in anti-gas training are to be set up in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin as a precaution against gas attacks from thfe air, according to a circular received by the Eastbourne Borough Council at its meeting last night from the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry). The liability of the Dominion to attacks from the air had been under consideration for some time by a special committee set up by the Government, said the circular. Arising out of the deliberations df the committee a tentative scheme for the dissemination of information about precautionary and remedial measures against gas attacks by air had been drawn up. The classes to be created would be conducted under the auspices of the Army Department and were to be confined to elementary training in the treatment of gas casualties and the work of decontamination. It was desired that the personnel of such classes should be drawn from the employees of local authorities and organizations engaged in first aid work, together with officers of State departments, such as the police and army. It was considered desirable that training should begin in the four main centres. It was proposed to linfit the classes to 20. They would be composed of six police officers, six municipal officers (for decontamination and repair work), four first aid men and four fire brigadesmen.

The Minister asked'for the co-opera-tion of the council as the local bodies would be a vital unit in the organization in a case of emergency.