EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 201, 19 August 1940, Page 5

EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS

COUNTY SCHEME DRAFTED GOVERNMENT REGISTERS APPROVAL CALL MADE FOR VOLUNTEERS "Earthquakes in rural areas in recent years have demonstrated "the need for being prepared to cope with the confused and danrgerous conditions which arise following disasters, and, furthermore, unexpected developments in the war situation could quickly involve this country in the sphere of conflict," said the Chairman, Mr J. L. Burnett, in introducing the subject of an emergency precautions scheme to a special meeting of the Whakatane Coun-. ty Council on Friday. With the County Chairman in supreme authority for the area (except in circumstances where military 'orijrf ice control is .necessary), the scheme provides for militia training, transport, evacuation, law and order, traffic, patrols, • communications, supplies, nursing and accommodation. In a letter dated Wednesday, August 14th, the Under Secrer?tary, Department of Internal Affairs, said he had fully considered the proposals and was of the opinion that the scheme was sound Vbut would not comment on the matter of home defence as details concerning that sphere had not yet been finalised by the Government.

EFFECTIVE CONTROL POLICY OF DECENTRALISATION "The purpose of this meeting is snot occasioned by the expectation •of coming disaster but I do believe, that it will be advantageous to pre pare our respective districts for any emergency," said Mr •Burnett, ■Chairman, in addressing the-Cotm-ty Council at Friday's special meeting. Mr Burnett went on to say that '-disruption might he anticipated as, (1) A large number of casualties. (2) Damage to access bridges, roads;, railways and wharves. .'(3) . Complete, breakdown of communications by telegraph, pos tal services and. wifeless operated by power. h<4) Shortage of flour, food, other supplies and necessities. •<5) Evacuation of women, children and aged from the coastal areas. "An officer of the Internal Affairs Department; Mr Bender,, ' -recently attended -in- Whakatane and he said that the Government was preparing regulations (referred to by the Hon* R. Sdmple during his visit to Whakatane) which will repose l'., in County Chairmen the office •of County Controller, with ,supreme authority," continued Mr Burnett. "To effectively serve and control -our large county I propose to -.adopt a policy of decentralisation. Our whole effort will be voluntary. Four or five districts will suffice r and each district will be in the -charge of a District Warden, who will be answerable to the Controller." The Chairman then described the organisation of each district, proaiding for deputy wardens and other assistants, similar to the organ-' isatioh of a military, unit. "The regulations will stipulate that the Controller make all appointments," said Mr Burnett. "The .organisation' -can be greatly assisted by our returned men." An Cpmmiittee. "On the administration side, and to co-ordinate all activities and con "trol arterial roads to adjoining districts and generally to assist district committees, I propose to appoint a technical Central Committee with a representative from as many of the following departments as possible viz:— Returned Soldiers' A s s ociation; Police Department; Transport Department; Health Department (including a medicsvl practitioner); Public Works Department; Post Office; the two County administrative officials and the County Inspector. . "Furthermore, to facilitate speedy •decisions, I propose an executive committee, comprising, with myself, the President, R.S.A. and the County Administrative officials. . This executive comrpittee would also unpublicity, records, financc and co-ordination.

''I suggest for district . committees the following spheres of activity which could be'modified' or extended as local conditions require: (a) Home Defence. This County should be able to muster at least 8 troops each of 100 men, viz: County West: of -the Whakatane River and bounded by the Confiscation • Line South. troops. Ohope % troop. Nukuhou, Wahnana., Opouriao and Taneatua 2% troops. - Galatea troop. "A troop commander will be appointed and lie will immediately enrol his officers who will in their respective districts prepare schedules for impressment of all rifles and equipment suit-able for the militia operations. Officers should be domiciled throughout the district and should enlist personnel, from their immediate localities. This wiir facilitate training by disruptirfg farming operations as little as possible and save benzine and also will provide a local force in ( every location where an emergency might arise. The troops will be given a course locally in the handling of arms and musketry. I am making urgent enquiries as to equip ment. The troop commander and senior officers will be appointed by the Controller." Transport, Law and Order: Elaborating the policy of decentralisation and the general system of control, Mr Burnett further outlined the proposed schema as follows: v N Transport and evacuation, law and order, traffic, patrols, communications, supplies, nurs - ing and accommodation. Each District Warden should recommend four proved persons of experience lor Warden appointments and as fi committee of four, with four deputies, in collaboration with the central committee or executive, control their respective districts. The Controller should be advised as to the headquarter? of each committee and the alternative , headquarters should the first loca- . tion prove; untenable. Each Warden i with his deputy would be in charge of a department, viz:— 1. Transport, law and order, traffic, patrols and communications.: Responsible for all transport during the state of emergency. Railwavs, cars, trucks and buses may I " all be impressed. Included will |be the evacuation of civilians from danger zones and the evacuation inland, of women, children and aged. All transport of men and materials required for the functioning of the different activities of the committee will be supplied. A schedule of all cars and trucks in each district should be made immediately. Motor vehicle owners should be instructed to keep petrol tanks as full as possible. General police duties, traffic con- ' trol, patrolling of placing of guards and communications (eg. runners for central committee) would also come under this Warden. Certain roads will require to be kept available for the military. No concerted movement of civilians is to be permitted without authority. Picket wardens should be so domiciled to keep the district en-

I i rely under control. Sub-Wardens should be appointed spread through out the district who avouUl be responsible ;for till trucks arid"'cars in' their immediate localities—say not more than 30 vehicles to any one Sub-Warden. Given assistance, in these Sub-Wardens could also be reposed police and traffic and other duties. I Supplies and Nursing. 2. Supplies. Responsible for the control of food, clothing, fuel ancl other necessities., By impressment private supplies and stocks may be taken over entirely or in part. Transport Warden would move stocks inland on direction. On the emergency Picket Wardens would 1 close all fuel and food premises and await .instructions. A list of all district bowsers, stores and factories should be made forthwith, and Picket Wardens appointed— say at least 2 to each premises. Arrangements should be made now "with the Transport Warden to locate sufficient trucks at each premises so that if necessary supplies may be shifted. 3. Nursing and Accommodation; and Public* Health. Responsible for first aid,, schools,, accommodation for cvacuee.s, resting places fojr dead. Aid posts and dressing stations would be set up where required. Schools may be taken over for any purpose connected with the emergency e.g. Whakatane Borough may be reqxiired to be evac'u-' a ted; and accommodation provided for the most of the Borough inhabitants. Meals \\*ould be supplied "I suggest also in each district a Women's Auxiliary Committee, representing the various women's organisations," concluded Mr Burnett. "This committee should make a clas sified register of available women workers viz: First Aid and Nursing. Care of aged—children. . Medical Supplies and : Dressings. ; 'Clothing and Sewing. , Picket Wardens. Motor Drivers and Messengers. Food preparation and cooking.