RIGHT OF ENTRY

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXI, Issue 8834, 19 October 1942, Page 2

RIGHT OF ENTRY

WARDENS IN BLACKOUT POSITION EXPLAINED THE NEED FOR DISCRETION' Right of entry by wardens during a trial blackout was the subject of a statement by the Mayor and Chief Controller, Mr W. M. Wallnutt, at a meeting of the Central Committee of •the Waihi and District E.P.S. at which he presided.

Mr Wallnutt said that as the question was an important one, and had not been raised for some time, it was necessary to review the pro- 1 visions for the purpose of publicity, and the possibility of a trial in the' near future. He pointed out that at a meeting of the E.'P.S. last April it was decided under the new Emergency Regulations of March 31 (section 20)', to grant the chief wardens of zones the power of entry, and the right to examine buildings i n connection with the blackout provisions. The personnel of the E.P.S. in the meantime had altered considerably, and it was now .necessary for the chief warden of each zone to have authority in writing.

Powers of Wardens

The section of the regulations referred to gave the warden power to enter any premises by day or by night, and by force if need be, for. the purpose of ascertaining whether or not the requirements of the emergency precautions scheme were being adequately complied with. The warden, he pointed out, must give the owner or occupier an opportunity of demonstrating the adequacy of the precautions taken. He would not recommend, however, any warden •taking advantage of the provision relative to using force. Such a course might probably develop into a serious affair,' and; in his opinion, ■there was no necessity for it. ) Use of Tact Essential On the part of the warden, the matter of approach and the use of discretion was most. important. If the warden met with absolute defiance and refusal, then it was his duty to report direct to the sergeant of police, but he did not think wardens would find themselves up against such cases. Sergeant A. Bisset said he quite agreed with the chairman’s remarks relative to the provision dealing with the use of force. Movements of Pedestrians

The chairman also pointed out that in addition to his other functions, every warden • had authority to direct the movement of pedestrians or other persons in any dispersal trial or actual emergency, and every person was guilty of an offence against the principal regulations who refused or failed to obey any instruction given on such occasions by a warden or other authorised person.