IN EVENT OF INVASION

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21687, 25 March 1942, Page 3

IN EVENT OF INVASION

ADVICE TO CIVILIANS OPPOSITION TO ENEMY (Official Wireless) (Received March 25, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, March 24 In making a statement on the work falling to the civil population in the event of an invasion of Britain the Lord President of the Council said in the House of Commons: “The first essential is that except under a definite order everyone shall stand firm, so as to avoid those refugee movements which proved so disastrous in the Battle of France. This will not mean that the civil population should adopt a purely passive role. On the contrary the Government has always expected that people offer united opposition to the invaders. Those who are physically fit will want to fight, but to do so effectively they must be organised and armed. All fit men who can find time for the necessary training should, therefore, join the Home Guard. At a later stage it may be practicable to include in the Home Guard, under special conditions, men who are anxious to fight but cannot find time for the amount of training now required. This cannot be arranged yet. “Meanwhile there are many ways in which those and others can help. In many parts of the country invasion committees have been set up, the duty of which is to survey local problems and consider what may be their needs if the fighting reaches their district, how needs can be met and how the civil and military authorities can best help each other. There are countless ways in which civilians can help, such as cooking, distributing food, digging trenches, filling shell holes and providing billets. Invasion Committee’s Duties “In a village or small town the invasion committee will be able to allot specific duty to particular individuals and most of the able-bodied inhabitants will know in advance what their role will be. In the larger towns this will not be possible. The problem will have to be tackled on different lines, but the committee will be responsible for seeing that all needs are thought out in advance and the town organised to cope with them as they arise. I want to emphasise that this is primarily a local problem and those who want to help must rely largely on their own initiative rather than look always to a higher authority for detailed direction. “General directions can be, and have been, given by the Government regional commissioners, but neither can prescribe in detail all that must be done. There are three broad principles. We should all bear in mind that all our people must help to do everything they can to help each other. No one must do anything which would be of the slightest help to the enemy. Lastly, all have the right and duty to do everything they usefully can, under responsible direction, to defend their hearth, home and land.”