E.P.S. DUTIES

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXI, Issue 8833, 16 October 1942, Page 2

E.P.S. DUTIES

PERSONNEL ANt) PUBLIC DEFINITE OBLIGATIONS REMOVING MISUNDERSTANDING In view of some incidents in connection with the recent “alert,” it is clear that there is a certain degree of ignorance of E.P.S. regulations, not only on the part of the members of the organisation themselves, but also on the part of the general public. To dispel this ignorance is th 6 purpose of this article.

Duties of General Public Among the various E.P.S. regulations two in particular affect the general public. The first is the E.P.S. Regulations 1941 Amendment No. 2, Section 21, which reads: “Every warden shall have authority to direct the movement of pedestrians or other persons in any dispersal, trial or in an actual-emergency and every person commits an offence against the principal regulation who refuses or fails to obey any instructions given on such occasions by a warden or other authorised person.” This regulation means that during an alert etc., any person inviting a warden or other authorised person to go to Halifax—or any other place—can be prosecuted by the ordinary process of law. The duty of all people is to obey cheerfully the instructions of wardens who are trained in their duties and who know what they have authority to do and what they cannot do.

The second, E.P.S. Regulations 1941 Amendment No. 2 Section 20, concerns enforcement of lighting regulations. By this section powers are given to wardens to enter any premises by day or night to ascertain whether or not the requirements of the E.P.S. are adequately provided for: Provided. that (1) the wardens shall produce written evidence of their authority and (2) give reasonable opportunities to the owners or occupiers to demonstrate the adequacy of the precautions and shall not enter any premises unless such information is refused.

Hence the general public is expected to co-operate with the wardens in enforcing the blackout and those who refuse are liable to prosecution. This does not mean that wardens will invade private homes indiscriminately. The wardens are expected to show courtesy and use tact in the carrying-out of their duties but the powers are there if required. Obligations of Members

Duties of E.P.S. personnel are set out in the principal regulations as follows:—(1) Every member of the E.P.S. shall continue as such for the duration of the war and for six months thereafter except in the case of death, discharge or transfer; (2) It shall be the duty of every member (a) To attend all parades of the unit unless exempted by the Controller of the unit, (b) to wear official arm band while on duty, (c) at all times, whether on duty or not, to have in his immediate possession his official arm band and identification card, (d) every member of a unit, while on

duty, or when required to be on duty.

shall obey all instructions in relation to the work of the unit given .by the Controller or by any other officer of the unit having authority over him. Penalties Provided For Controllers arc empowered to impose a fine up to £2 for serious breaches of discipline which include (a) Failing to attend a meeting of the unit when .required; (b) refusing or wilfully failing to obey any lawful instruction; (3) obstructing or interfering with a member of the unit in the performance of his duties; (4) being intoxicated while on duty; (5) using any abusive, insulting, blasphemous or obscene language while on duty; (6) failing to wear his arm band while on duty; and (7) failing to comply with any obligations imposed on him by the regulations. Co-operation Sought These duties and penalties are not generally known by members of the E.P.S., but now that publicity is given to them it is hoped that the attendance at E.P.S. practices, meetings, etc., will be improved considerably. Naturally controllers will be very loath to take advantage of the powers conferred upon them, -but it is pointed out that E.P.S. service does not require the weekly hours required by the Home Guard.