CONGESTED LONDON SHELTERS

Southland Times, Issue 24237, 21 September 1940, Page 5

CONGESTED LONDON SHELTERS

The Daily Telegraph says telegrams are being sent by train and letters left lying at railway stations for days. Telephone lines are completely out of action without apparent reason. These are among complaints being made at post offices. The Minister of Supply (Mr Herbert Morrison) announced that “very heavy delay was inevitable. Letters are taking a week to reach their destinations. The average delay is about four days.” Post offices throughout London from September 23 will remain open after air raid warnings. The offices are being made blast and splinter proof. Morning newspapers draw attention to the growing danger to the transport system by the increasing use of the underground stations as shelters. The Daily Telegraph says that congestion at the stations is becoming serious. News that the authorites are not forbidding the use of underground platforms as shelters has caused a large increase in the nightly migration. Passengers are forced to struggle through lanes of recumbent forms. Hundreds take up their positions about 5 p.m. Some “refugees” enter the stations at 3 p.m.

The Daily Express also appeals for reduced use of the underground stations in order to enable workers to travel. This is regarded as a hundredfold more important now that the siege is on. “The people’s safety -will mean nothing if the city’s work is allowed to slow down or falter. One solution would be to disperse the children, the aged and the infirm, also everybody whose labour is not essential,” it states. “The Government also faces the problem of shelters in the poorer districts. Many women and children spend

the nights in roofed trenches, which are uncomfortable and insanitary, and which are constructed merely for protection against short raids. It is feared that in winter nights these shelters will result in influenza and pneumonia. It is pathetic to see people queueing up at West End shelters. Many are turned away. Surface shelters in the suburbs are frequently sparsely populated, most people believing their homes are as good. The Daily Mail says that the demand for deep shelters must and will be met, but it becomes evident for a number of reasons that we are not going to have specially built deep shelters. Sir John Anderson is requisitioning idle basement cellars on a large scale, thereby providing shelter for many thousands. The,. congestion at underground stations is liable to get out of hand. It is hoped that the basements will provide room for all who are denied the use of the underground railways. Sir John Anderson has issued 2,000,000 leaflets giving employers and workers guidance for working during air raids. In a preface Mr Churchill says: “The experience during the last few weeks has taught us that one of the greatest problems is to maintain production in spite of raids. This plan was evolved by employers and employed, so let us all work it together until victory comes.” , The plan provides for spotters and •improved protection for workers, permitting work until danger is imminent. Workers’ pension, compensation and insurance rights are specifically preserved. Six thousand persons have already received personal injury allowances.