WANGANUI E.P.S.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 202, 27 August 1943, Page 4

WANGANUI E.P.S.

MINIMUM STRENGTH OF 435 SKELETON ORGANISATION. According to Mr. Ivan Man-ley, Wanganui E.P.S. organiser, arrangements are under way for a modification of training and reduction in personnel of front-line units of the E.P.S. in Wanganui. The new regulations provide for a minimum strength of 435, compared with a previous membership of about 1300. Units termed as ’’front-line” are the law and order, medical, works, lire and communication units and district wardens, and district lire wardens are arranging for ilnal compulsory fullstrength parades of their sections, when the future aims and intentions of E.P. services will be discussed. Minimum requirements for each unit are to be set out and volunteers will be called for. If more than the number required volunteer, they are all to be accepted, but if the full number ,is not forthcoming, the problem of reaching the minimum will have to be .olved by the unit controller. ‘‘The basic idea is td retain a sk-ole-' cn organisation making it possible for an almost immediate build-up to previous full strength if necessary,’' stated Mr. Manley. All present members of the E.P.S. services are to keep their personal equipment, but it will probably be necessary to call compulsory parades periodically—possibly every three months—to check up on issues. Personnel who volunteer to remain active members will be called upon to parade only occasionally, and all other personnel will be transferred to the reserve. As the regulations in force regarding compulsory service with the E.P.S. have not been revoked, personnel on the reserve can still be called upon in an emergency. It is emphasised that persons becoming liable for service still have the same obligations of enrolling as they

did when the service was at full strength. When new members enrol they will be given the opportunity of volunteering for active service - in the reduced units or will be posted to the reserve immediately.