DUTY OF CIVILIANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 June 1942, Page 2

DUTY OF CIVILIANS

IN EVENT OF INVASION INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED IN BRITAIN. SCORCHED EARTH POLICY IF NECESSARY. (British Official Wireless.) / RUGBY, June 9. Common sense and ingenuity will be the best equipment for the civilians in the event of an invasion of Britain, says the Minister for Home Security, Mr Morrison, in a statement which has been issued setting out new and comprehensive Government instructions to civilians in that emergency. Mr Morrison stressed that the statement is not issued because an invasion is imminent, but because it is necessary to be prepared. . He makes it clear that while the civilian will be expected to carry out his allotted duties with energy and resolution, he should not take independent action in matters such as the “scorched earth” policy. He should not destroy plant oi' block communications except on definite order's from military police or wardens. A scheme for denying resources to the enemy has been carefully balanced with the needs of the British forces, and independent action could have serious results for the military plan. A scorched earth policy will be carried out if it is essential, solely with a view to national defence and without regard for private interests of any kind.

Mr Morrison said that if small parties of the enemy move in areas which are not occupied every citizen is expected to help overcome them. Other points in the statement are that the regional commissioners will assume the functions of a central government in their regions when necessary and, with the regional representatives of the various departments, will act as the governing centre of a selfcontained community. War-zone courts will be set up to administer justice. Without a proclamation of martial law any member of the armed forces may claim the help and obedience of civilians in an emergency which threatens the safety of the realm. Where they exist, the civil defence emergency Committees will form the nucleus of “invasion committees,” and where there are no such committees they will be specially constituted.

The area invasion committees, which have been set up voluntarily in inany parts of Britain, consist mainly of the local Army, Home Guard, and A.R.P. leaders, mayor, police chief, and postmaster. Where possible, a small permanent headquarters —virtually an executive —is established. The committee’s aim is to prepare for and lead the greatest possible mobilisation of the local population. The committees have not had legal status as such, but the Government has in recent months given wide encouragement to the movement ,and the latest instructions, reported above, would appear to make the committees official.