IN EMERGENCY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 64, 12 June 1942, Page 5

IN EMERGENCY

BOROUGH E.P.S. MEETS ORGAN! SATI ON REV IE WED There was a full muster of delegates at a meeting of the Borough E.P.S. committee last evening in the Borough Council Chambers over which the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, presided. The work of the organisation was reviewed generally with particular emphasis on the recent successful test. A letter from the Awake New Zealand (Whakatane) committee on the question of evacuation for the civilian population, caused considerable comment. The chairman said that as yet nothing had been actually finalised. He had conferred with both the ' County chairman and the Head Warden but there was no finality. A meeting however would be taking "place on Monday next when he hoped to pursue it further. The question was closely bound up with the recent regulation enforcing compulsory enlistment of all but key men in the E.P.S. in the Home Guard. He had to admit that at present it looked as though the personnel of the E.P.S. would be limited to key men, old age pensioners and boys. Mr R. Canning: "What's the use of the E.P.S. then!" Mr Barry said he hoped to effect an exchange for some non-effective members of the guard but lie could not anticipate many materialising. Considerable comment was pro- ■■ voiced at this point, but as Mr Barry pointed out little or nothing could! be done until a selection officer had been appointed. Mr L. Buddie said that the Awake Committee had written the letter under pressure from the members of the Home Guard who had stated that they would feel far more resided in their minds in an emergency :!f the\ T could feel assured that their Tamilies and their womenfolk were out of harm's way. Mr F. Lj'saght expressed the opinion that no reply could be given 'the letter until they knew whether 'or not the E.P.S. Avas likely to exist as a competent body in future.

The secretary said it really needed a definite statement from the 'Government saying whether the E.P.S. in Whakatane was wanted >or net. If so, then it Avas only right that the personnel should be made available; if not then most of the men could train with the Home Guard and the position held open ibv a skeleton organisation.

It was resolved to reply pointing -out the difficulties confronting' the - organisation, and also to wire the Manpower Committee at Paeroa urging that the selection committee be : set up at an early date. Last Week's Test Congratulting the members on the smooth running of the emergency test last Saturday week, Mr Barry said that the procedure had exceeded all expectations. The District Warden (Mr E. R. Wilkinson, May--er of Tauranga) had been most impressed, particularly with the medical section and the manner in which the hospital staff had co-operated. Reports were received from Dr. Dawson and Mr T. A. Bridger (Medical), C. W. Good (Transport), Lattimore (Communication), Mrs Dallas (W.W.S.A.), Mr jVlcCalhim (Supply), Mr Delves (Traffic), Mr. Stewart and Mr J. Creeke (Fire Brigade), Mir F. S. Brockett (Personnel), Mr S. S. Shapley and Mr •C. F. Thomas (Works), Mr T. Cuturnings (Law 1 and Order), Mr F. W. Lysaght (Electrical). Several speakers paid a warm tribute to the work cf the messenger boys, all of whom had shown the greatest enthusiasm and initiative. r lhe boys were all volunteers and had entered into their duties with the greatest zest.