THE E.P.S.O.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 66, 17 June 1942, Page 5

THE E.P.S.O.

—♦- SHOULD IT DISBAND FEELING OF FRUSTRATION Subsequent to the visit of Lieut. Col. Dawe and the information received from official sources that all fit men within the age limit (51 years) must be transferred to the Home Guard, the meeting of Rangitaiki E.P.S.O. Wardens last Monday - gave serious consideration to the abandonment of the movement. It was possibly only due to the persistent appeals of the chairman (Mr J. L. Burnett) and the District Controller (Mr E. R. Wilkinson) that no actual motion was framed. Mr "S. Spence pointing out tin drastic reduction which would re suit in the Rangitaiki area said tha they would be left with only 11 effectives. There was a definite feel ing on the Plains, he said that afte all their work and personnel effort it was useless to carry on with : weakened team. It was most unfor tunate that the country's manpowe was not under one control. It >va •undeniable that the army came firs and they must face up to that fact - Mr R. E. Blair supporting th< sneaker said he Avasi a fit man. am would not hesitate to ioin the Hom< Guard. "Some of us are a bit tired,' he said, "of these persistent allega tions about the jobs avc have undertaken and I think that as the armj is making the claim for these men they should take the responsibilitj of the E.P.S. likewise. Many of \u -would probably make better scrap pers than those who criticise us." Mr Ted Ward expressed the sam< opinion criticising the slowness o the devlopmcnt of the Ei.P.S. anc the futility of its endeavour to cops with such a large undertaking witl weakened prsonnel. Ho felt that th< women and the children in the rura areas were going to be absolutely ignored unless something was arranged for their safety. He also criticised the management of the Home Guard and the slowness of it: development. Mr Burnett (the chairman) appealed to members not to lose heart. 11 was their duty at least to await thi appointment of the local Selection Committee before forming a definite opinion. The Home Guard had been In exactly the same position—faced with slow up-hill work and many setbacks. Keep the organisation intact by all means, he said, and let us await later advice. Mr Wilkinson also appealed for unity. He realised that after all their planning and organisation the present demands were heart-break-ing. He thought that the authorities should at least credit them with having the stability and courage to make the safeguarding of the women and children, their job. He urged them to 'carry on* until the •whole matter Avas revieAved by the Regional Controller. The matter here rested none of the previous speakers forcing their -arguments further.