E.P.S. PERSONNEL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 42, 20 February 1943, Page 5

E.P.S. PERSONNEL

REDUCTION IN STRENGTH IN CHRISTCHURCH (P.A.) Christchurch, Feb. 18. The reduction of active E.P.S. personnel in Christchurch to about onequarter of the present total strength of the organisation was proposed on suggestions considered by the Central Committee to-day. The proposals, which were based on a policy outlined at the conference at Wellington last week, provide for a first-line active establishment, with membership divided among wardens, medical, fire and works units (each 20 per cent.), law and order and communications (each 10 per cent.). Each of these units will have a reserve strength. A skeleton organisation of other units will be retained, but the remainder of the personnel, though still liable for service, will be called on to do very little training. The active strength of the first-line units will be about one-sixth of the present, total strength. This personnel will he given a six months’ course of instruction, based on that at the Civil Defence School at Wellington. The meeting was attended by the Director of National Service. Mr. J. S. Hunter, and the Regional Commissioner, Colonel W. T. C. Churchward.