NEW WARDENS’ UNIT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 111, 15 May 1942, Page 4

NEW WARDENS’ UNIT

PROPOSAL IN WANGANUI The urgent need for a separate wardens’ unit, independent of the Law and Order Section, being formed in Wanganui was stressed by the organiser, Mr. I. Manley, in his report to the E.P.S. executive committee, received at its meeting yesterday. Mr. Manley said the new group should have its own controller and could be I known as the Wardens’ Unit. At prei sent the duties of the Law and Order .jeciioii were ridiculously onerous and should be lightened. Mr. Manley quoted the following regulations on the subject: “A wardens' unit shall have such special functions as may be allotted to it by the central committee, or by any regulations. and shall also have the general function ol preventing panic, or confusion, in any sudden emergency, and of assisting several special units in the exercise oi their functions.” Cr. Manley also recommended the foundation of a Fire-Watching Unit, and suggested that. Mr. G. P. Hawkins, chairman of the Emergency Fire Committee, be appointed controller under the new regulations. A heavy burden of duties had already been placed on the fire-watching section, and it seemed clear that th? formation of a new unit was desirable. The deputy chairman, Mr. J. J. Scott, said the suggestions were reasonable, but manpower created a problem. Home Guard requirements were likely to take many men from the E.P.E. “It seems largely a matter of robbing Peter to pay Paul, but at the present time we don’t know where we are.” Inspector J. A. Dempsey, Controller of the Law and Order Unit, said he agreed that his section had too many duties and fully supported Mr, Manley’s proposal to form a new unit. He also suggested that controllers go into the question of manpower. A special meeting will be held next week to consider the proposals. The committee also approved the appointment of Mr. Hawkins as controller of the Fire-Watching Unit.