CIVILIAN EVACUATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 63, 16 March 1942, Page 4

CIVILIAN EVACUATION

CONFLICT OF OPINION AT AUCKLAND GOVERNMENT AND E.P.S. AUTHORITIES ((P.A.) ’ Auckland. March 15. A. resolution expressing the concern ! of the Auckland public at the conflict of opinion between the Government and the Emergency Precautions Service authorities in Auckland, on the . subject of civilian population, was ■ adopted at a meeting to-day. The Mayor, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, presided over a large attendance. ; The Controller of Evacuation under E.P.S.. Mr. C. J. Lovegrove, outlined the steps taken for the billeting of ' 46,000 evacuees in rural districts and ■ commended the enthusiasm of the : authorities and co-operation of resi--1 dents in those ar?)as. “Last week I i saw a copy of the regulations proposed by 1 he Government for the control of the evacuation and I was bit- ' terly disappointed,” said Mr. Lovegrove. “They said much in words but meant very little,” ho said. Amondmets had boon suggested by the Auckland authorities and he was hopeful that they be adopted. There was no menTFin of voluntary evacuation in the draft, regulations, and the scale of billet inc fees was not defined, he regulations merely stating that the matter “rests with ; the central committee.” Which committee was intended was not clear. Already a certain amount of private ’ evacuation had taken place, but he felt that one scale should be stipulated so that there would be no discrimination. The time factor in any evacuation was all important. The ex- . perienco of Singapore, Darwin and Broome showed that evacuation of women and children should take , place before, and not after, the attack. ! Without being panicky they had to I recognise that sooner or later some , attack would be made on New Zealand, and he considered Auckland , was the focal point. The people had to steel themselves to that fact. “The life of one child is more important and valuable than the most palatial building in this or any other city,” declared Mr. Lovegrove, amid applause. If evacuation was sanctioned it was proposed to evacuate en masse, al! school children over eight years, and children under that age would bp evacuated with their mothers. The Plunket Society was doing good work in preparing a census of expectant mothers, who would be evacuated. He opposed the proposal that lhe military authorities should have the right to say when evacuation was to be undertaken. “I havtf suggested that regulations should pro’ide that lhe central committee under control of the chief warden, should have the right when it thinks fit. and not when the Government or the military authorities think fit. to order evacuation.” h n added, amid applause.