DUPLICATION OF EFFORT

Southland Times, Issue 24163, 27 June 1940, Page 15

DUPLICATION OF EFFORT

EMERGENCY SCHEME DEPUTATION INTERVIEWS MINISTER (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 26. Over eagerness on the part of some organizations and private bodies to help in local activities relating to the war has caused a duplication of the effort in some quarters which has led to confusion. An instance in which the wellmeaning activity of a private body had seriously interfered with the emergency precautions of a local authority was narrated by a deputation which interviewed the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) today. The speakers stated that the body referred to had threatened by its actions to usurp all the powers, functions and responsibilities of a city corporation charged with the duty of preparing an emergency precautions scheme for citizens, whose welfare the corporation felt it to be its chief duty to look after.

This body travelled at a great rate, remarked a speaker. It even went the distance of taking the names of persons for ambulance and nursing work, the owners of motor-cars and one or two men who declared they had knowledge in fire and flood fighting. “This interference with the functions of local authorities has got beyond a laughing stage in our district and should be ended.”

The Minister said he appreciated the viewpoint that any activities of that kind by outside bodies however well intentioned they might be, but which interfered with the emergency work of the local authorities, could not be countenanced. Local bodies throughout the Dominion had been for some time at the request of the Government taking praiseworthy action in the preparation of emergency schemes, and their work was of the utmost importance to the Dominion and its people. “A big responsibility in the preparation of their schemes settles on the local councils and they should not be interfered with in the discharge of that responsibility,” said Mr Perry. I will have inquiries made into the representations of the deputation.”