AIRMEN CALLED TO COLOURS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21153, 28 September 1938, Page 9

AIRMEN CALLED TO COLOURS

BRITAIN’S DEFENCE PRECAUTIONS House of Commons to Meet Protection for Civil Population United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 26. Officers and men of the Anti-Air-craft Units and Coast Defence Units of the Territorial Army have been called up. It is emphasised that the calling-up of these units is precautionary, and distant from general mobilisation, which would embody the Territorial Army. Royal Air Force personnel has been recalled from leave, and Observer Corps called up. An air raid warning system has been instituted. It is likewise explained that this precaution does not include general mobilisation, and applies to home defence only. With the sands of the crisis running out, the entire country is doing its utmost to complete precautions for the safety of civilians.

Time-tables are being prepared enabling the evacuation of 3,500,000 Londoners within seventy-two hours. Every city and town is taking overvacant land on which trenches are being dug in the greatest haste. Similar -work is also being carried out in London’s parks. Gasmasks are being handed out everywhere.

Intensive precautions are also being taken against fire. Municipalities are calling up volunteers, who are undergoing swift courses of instruction.

Plans have been completed for the evacuation of half a million London school children in a few hours. Head masters have urged parents, wherever possible, to move their children to the country without delay. Parents have been given lists of two days’ food and clothing and other articles each child should carry, which, it is suggested, should now be packed. The majority of the members of Cabinet, including all the Defence Ministers, and the Foreign Minister (Lord Halifax), met this afternoon at the headquarters of the Committee of Imperial Defence.

Mr Chamberlain received the Leader of the Opposition (Mr C. R. Attlee), and the deputy-leader ‘Mr A. Greenwood).

His Majesty received Mr Chamberlain, who returned to Downing Street after fifty minutes with the King, who cancelled his visit to Glasgow to launch the Queen Elizabeth.