PRECAUTIONS FOR AIR RAIDS

Southland Times, Issue 23782, 1 April 1939, Page 8

PRECAUTIONS FOR AIR RAIDS

Training Given In Anti-Gas Defence

“EYES NOT SHUT TO POSSIBILITIES”

MR SAVAGE DEPRECATES ALARMIST STATEMENTS

(United Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 31.

When the attention of the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) was drawn to recent activities in various parts of New Zealand in air raid precautions generally and protection against gas attacks in particular, he said that for some time past the Government had had this problem under consideration and had . obtained the best advice about the protective measures, if any, that should be taken in New Zealand.

“The conclusions to which the Government has come have been reached after careful consideration of the existing and prospective conditions by the naval, military and air advisers m this country and in Great Britain. We have not shut our eyes to the possibilities,” said the Prime Minister. hull consideration has been given to every contingency and our expert advisers are agreed that there is no need at present for this country to make elaborate preparations against air raids and gas attacks. Much publicity has been given to the steps taken in the United Kindom to meet the threat of danger from the air, but expert advisers! state it cannot be emphasized too strongly that the degree of risk from aerial attacks in Great Britain is very many times greater than it is in New Zealand. . “The geographical advantages ot New Zealand, however, do not justify a policy of complete indifference. The Government has, therefore, made essential preparations and in the development of these is already giving training in certain measures of anti-gas defence. The personnel to whom such training is being given are the police and health authorities, fire brigades, traffic inspectors and first aid institutions. This instruction is under the control of army headquarters in cooperation with the Department of Internal Affairs. “As far as the wider problem ot general disorganization caused by air raids or other attacks is concerned, the Government is not leaving things to chance. It is taking steps now to advise local bodies and others concerning safeguards. The activities of all organizations will be co-ordinated so that in the event of a national emergency, although remote, the whole country will be linked up in an efficient plan of safeguards and defence. I. must, therefore, deprecate, the publication of alarmist statements or the preparation of schemes for extensive provision of air raid shelters or for the evacuation of the population of the larger cities. I can only repeat that such measures are not at present necessary.”

MILITARY TRAINING ADVOCATED COMPULSORY SYSTEM FAVOURED (United Press Association) PALMERSTON NORTH, March 31. That the Government be urged to restore compulsory military training and adjust the territorial forces to the 1921 level was the text of a resolution carried at a big meeting of citizens addressed by the Hon. W. Perry on behalf •of the New Zealand Defence League after the speaker had stressed the menace of aggression and the need for preparedness in the Dominion.