PRECAUTIONS IN EMERGENCY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 244, 16 October 1939, Page 9

PRECAUTIONS IN EMERGENCY

AUCKLAND PLANS CRITICISED “RAID WOULD BRING ABSOLUTE CHAOS" AUCKLAND, Oct. 9. Criticism o£ Lie steps being taken to place Auckland on a war looting under the emergency precaution scheme organised was voiced ,at a meeting ot the Auckland Electric Power Board, when the chairman (Mr. S. J. Harbutt) referred to a report on precautionary measures given bv the Mayor (Sir Ernest Davis) at a meeting ot local bodies last week. “If the city were raided to-mor-row there would be absolute chaos," said Mr. J. Park. “Those parties who should co-operate with tne scheme have not been asked to co-operate It is fooling the public when it is said that we are fully prepared. Such ' places as Palmerston North are mI linitely ahead of us in precautions against raids. Is there anything in the organisation's Report that any citizen can act on in an emergency! The time is coming when something different must be said than statements that all are prepared and everyone is ready." Mr. H. T. Goldie said he doubted whether any member of the board knew what he should do in a., emergency. Personally, he had no idea. If a raid took place over Auckland where would the people find safety? asked Mr. J. Sayegh, who held lhe view that the Defence Department was the only body capable of undertaking precautionary measures. There should be co-operation between the ■ department and local authorities. : In concluding the decision, Mr. Harbuti asked that the committees I should be given a chance to organise ‘ before any criticism was made.