SUPPORT PLEDGED

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21250, 22 October 1940, Page 4

SUPPORT PLEDGED

PRECAUTIONS SCHEME MOTORISTS TO PLAY PART ADOPTION BY ASSOCIATION The principal business discussed before the monthly meeting of the Hamilton advisory committee of the Automobile Association last night related to the resolution which was passed unanimously by 250 members present at the annual meeting held the previous week, whereby it -was recommended that the Automobile Association pledge itself to give every support in its power to the Emergency Precaution Volunteers, whose plan of organisation had already been officially adopted by seven local bodies under the Emergency Precaution Regulations. The area officer reported that the council of the association had already considered this resolution and had given its unanimous approval. It iiad also approved of his becoming one of the group of honorary advisers of this combined South Auckland emergency precaution scheme. The association had offered its services at the beginning of hostilities but no previous application had been made to use its organisation in the interests of national security. Scheme Explained To aid it in deciding how best to give effect to the wishes of its members as expressed at the annual meeting the advisory committee invited Mr J. R. Baird, assistantengineer of the Hamilton Borough Council, to explain how the counties which had already adopted the plan had progressed, and, further, how it was proposed to introduce it into those towns whose councils had approved of it. The scheme aimed at utilising the services of all those not already engaged in military work, including women and children. The services of all motor vehicle owners could be organised to be available to the military authorities for transport of fighting forces or supplies in the event of invasion, or alternatively, for the purpose of evacuating civilians from districts or towns that may become the centres of armed, conflict. Fully Trained Personnel It was emphasised that enrolment was entirely voluntary and all those enrolling would be able to render assistance without in any way interfering with their usual vocations. Only a state of emergency arising in their own particular districts would cause volunteers to be withdrawn from industry, but it was stressed that the organisation should be completed as soon as possible in order that every member should know his own task so that no time would be lost in allotting tasks. A fullytrained personnel would insure that no state of chaos could exist.

The members of the committee pledged themselves to support the scheme in every way possible and to seek the co-operation of association members in the various districts. A further meeting of the committee is to be held at an early date to decide the best method of utilising members’ service, but members were urged to enrol in the movement at the earliest opportunity.