E.P.S. SCHEME

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22491, 28 January 1943, Page 4

E.P.S. SCHEME

Policy Questions Determined Continuous Fire Guard Suspended (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 27. Policy questions of vital importance to the Emergency Precautions Services have now been determined which have a direct bearing on the training and time required to be devoted thereto by the personnel, according to the Minister of Civil Defence, the Hon. D. Wilson, M.L.C. “As I pointed out in the statement I made at the end of last year,”. said Mr Wilson, “civil defence measures were considered from time to time by the War Cabinet in collaboration with its expert advisers and the policy shaped according to the information available.

“In this respect,” Mr Wilson continued, “it must be emphasised that the War Cabinet is the only authority that is in possession of all the information available in the country upon which policy determinations can be made, and it is extremely unfortunate that false impressions are often created by the utterances, of unauthorised persons and sometimes by persons in prominent positions that have the effect of unsettling personnel. “In the belief that conditions no longer call for service on their part the War Cabinet, with a full sense of its responsibilities to the people of the Dominion, can be relied upon to formulate both active and civil defence measures in keeping with the conditions existing and not impose irksome restrictions a moment longer than was considered absolutely useful and necessary.

“A full review of the whole position was again tried out by the War Cabinet in conjunction with the Chiefs of Staff yesterday, and proposals in respect to civil defence for the immediate future were given full and careful consideration.

“I am in a position to state,” said Mr Wilson, “that the War Cabinet has determined that emergency precautions services must be maintained in a condition of effectiveness in the meantime, ready to spring into action immediately should an emergency arise, and anyone who thinks that the position in the Pacific is so good that we can abandon our civil defence preparedness, or that the position could not deteriorate as quickly as it recently improved, is living in a fools’ paradise. First Line Units “To give effect to this policy will call for continued training, particularly for personnel of first line units, such as first aid, law and order, wardens, works and fire fighting, but the time involved in training will be regulated to ensure only a reasonable standard of preparedness and will be based upon the present war situation, not upon the seriousness of the war situation which existed last year. “Proposals are now being formulated to give effect to this policy which will be the subject of discussions with Regional Commissioners, departmental officers and E.P.S. authorities. The time has certainly not arrived to justify the removal of provisions calling for compulsory service in the E.P.S., although it is probable that steps will be taken to fix modified establishments of well-trained personnel, plus a reserve of others to be called upon should the position deteriorate. It must be pointed out, however, that male personnel relieved of any reliability for training and service in the E.P.S. may be posted for service with the Home Guard.

“Special consideration was given to the question of fire watching which terminated last year pending a review, and it had been decided not to reinstate continuous fire watching in the meantime. Rosters of the personnel will be maintained and tests arranged from time to time, but not involving sleeping away from home. It will be necessary, however, for all equipment to be installed and kept in good order and repair to the satisfaction of the E.P.S. who will make periodical inspections.” No New Shelters In view of the provisions already made in those areas more likely to be subjected to enemy action, and the general conditions ruling at present, no further work on new shelters will be put in hand, and action will be taken to complete any shelters on which the bulk of the work has been carried out. The inexpensive utilisation of the more suitable buildings in the event of an emergency, however, will be organised through the E.P.S. authorities as refuges, and, should provide adequate safeguards in conjunction with other protective measures included in the general operations. “Regarding fire-fighting services special consideration is also being given to proposals arising out of a report by Mr A. D. Wilson, of the Department of Home Security in Great Britain, and these will be announced as soon as finality is reached.

“To ensure that all civil defence organisations will be kept effective, the War Cabinet considers that tests of units should be carried out at intervals, and occasionally more comprehensive trials consisting of several appropriate units. The same course will be adopted to maintain a proper standard of effectiveness in respect to blackout precautions. Whilst designed to ensure a reasonable standard of preparedness it is not intended that trials be carried out in such a manner as to result in unnecessary interruption of war production or other essential facilities. “In conclusion,” said Mr Wilson, “I would like to say that the present organisation makes adequate provision for full and continuous liaison as between the War Cabinet and the Civil Defence Administration. Once the policy is determined in the manner outlined above, it will be made the subject of personal discussions regularly between the Minister, Regional Commissioners and the Department of National Service. Regional Commissioners, in turn, will contact District Controllers who will be responsible to them for the general training and efficiency of the E.P.S. The system ensures that local E.P.S. committees can be kept fully informed of policy, and thus be able to regulate training according to their needs.”