PROTECTION OF WOMEN IN EMERGENCY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 295, 15 December 1941, Page 7

PROTECTION OF WOMEN IN EMERGENCY

POINT RAISED AT COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING POSITION IX SMALL VILLAGES OX .MAIN HIGHWAYS The protection during an emergency of women and children living in small villages on main highways was a point raised by Cr. L. A. -Mackintosh at the monthly meeting of the Wanganui County Council He referred in particular to tvaitoke and Marybank. and also Wangaehu, in the Rangitikei Countj. In the event of enemy action the men would leave their homes and serve with the Home Guard, leaving their wives and children without protection. said Cr. Mackintosh. Some scheme should be devised, anti possibly the county could give a lead by calling a public meeting of settlers. Cr. W. Craig: It's no use calling a meeting unless you have some scheme to put before it. Cr. Mackintosh commented that it would be only natural for the enemy to attack main highways, railroads and bridges. “The best thing for the women and children to do in that event would oe to stay put.'' said Cr. R. W. Stewart. A lot of people moving about the roads with nowhere to go would cause confusion and hinder defence forces from moving. This had happened in Europe. The chairman. Cr. A. H. Collins, commented that it might be more advisable for women and children to i move into the back country. An illustration of how traflic could be congested was the railway smash at Wangaehu. when a freight train plunged into the river iast October, said another councillor. So many people came out on the following Sunday to watch salvage operations that the congestion was acute. Many women were capable of taking charge and moving others to safety in an emergency, said Cr. Stewart. "After all.” he added, "they consider that men got the world into this mess and that it's up to the women to get it out.” No motion was before the meeting and the discussion lapsed.