MUST CONTINUE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 126, 30 May 1942, Page 8

MUST CONTINUE

FIRE WATCHING SAFETY FIRST PRINCIPLE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. "Because the Japanese are increasing the strength of their drive against China, some owners and occupiers of business buildings in New Zealand think the national insurance system of fire watching should be relaxed, said the Minister of National Service. Mr. Semple, to-dav. "1 can say emphatically on behalf of the Government that the present precautions must be maintained until there is good reason for any change." The Minister said it would be foolish to deduce from the present operations in China that the Japanese had swerved away from their southward move. They were alwavs scheming to stage surprises and thev would not give notice of motion of their intention to raid New Zealand. Now that the first difficulties in the establishment of fire watching services had been overcome, the stage had been reached when attention would be given to instructional activities and the provision of more fire fighting equipment. In the working of the scheme the extent, and degree of fire watching was proportionate to the probable risk. Thus Wanganui was not subject to the same kind of fire watching as the central areas of Auckland and Wellington, but the whole policy would remain on the principle or safetv first. Mr. Semple pointed out that ViceAdmiral Robert Ij. Ghormley. Commander of the Allied Forces in the South Pacific, had warned us that we were more likelv to suffer tip and run raids unless the Japanese took some islands to the eastward. Who in ilm country would take the responsibility for saying that 'lie fire watching service could be "put to bed in face of such a warning from a high authorilv? Mr. Semple reiterated that iire watching must continue with increasing efVn-iencv.