WORK OF E.P.S.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 73, 3 July 1942, Page 5

WORK OF E.P.S.

FUTURE ACTIVITIES DISCUSSED REGIONAL COMMISSIONER'S VISIT DISTRICT WARDENS MEET Colonel Wes't, Northern Regional Commander, with Ca.pt. Russell, explained yesterday as far as possible the future policy which would be adopted towardfe the operations of the E.P.S. in this district and the relative 'near sures which would be taken to establish and consolidate the local units of the Home Guard 1 . Colonel West who was formally "welcomed by the District E.P.S. "Controller, Mr E. R. Wilkinson, who presided made it clear that many of the misunderstandings which now existed were largely due to the enthusiasm of responsible, officers in the two organisations and would be •quicklj' - overcome by conference and ]proper co-operation. He explained that he was expected in his capacity of Regional Commissioner to appreciate the claims of the armed forces ami also those of the civil population for which purpose the E.P.S.O. Tiad been inaugurated. To this end it would be his duty to keep a balanced sense of values so that all sections eculcl be safeguarded. How-* •ever he took pains to point out that "war made it possible for any eventuality, and it could not lie laid down with any degree of certainty where, when, or how an enemy might react. The civil defence of the'country was now recognised by the Government as vital to its existence and in seeking to build up the Home Guard, it was felt that all able-bodied men should, where they could be spared, Jje trained for service. It was better to have a man capable of dealing with a few Japs than merely capable of putting out an incendiary. This position had to; be met and even if the E.P.S. was to shrink to a .skeleton or a nucleus he urged the importance of carrying on, as the ■work to be undertaken by that org-* anisation Avas more likely to increase than to diminish.

Work for Women Speaking of the work of women in England, he said that he felt confident that we had not yet appreciated what our womenkind were capable of. He recalled the pioneering .tlaj's of America when the womenfolk even during a Redskin attack, :stood by their men, loaded the guns and generally shared the full weight •of responsibility. The women of New Zealand were just as capable, and were onlj- waiting to be asked to lend, a hand. He mentioned too that a woman under the strain of an emergency felt a good deal more confident with a job to do than taking shelter in a slit trench or a dugout. He urged therefore that the ranks of the E.P.S. be thrown open to more women. Assistance from Home Guard In the event of an ordinary emergency arising, such as the earthquake at Masterton, he assured the wardens present that the military authorities would co-operate to the fullest extent. It would not be necessary in such circumstances to have a large personnel, for unless they were actually lighting the enemy the army would spare as many men as were needed to meet the situation. Evacuation Speaking on the question of evacuation, he endorsed the recent statement by Colonel Dawe, regarding the civilian population remaining stationary. There was however the . alternative which had to be provided lor and that was a plan for removing the civilians, in the event of the arm\ r authorities deciding upon a certain area for military purposes. In that event it Avould be necessary of course to have plans made ac~ cordinglj' but the official order to 'stay put* was nevertheless in force to-day, and unless countermanded by military order would have to be complied with. It would be neces- . sary in that event to have a plan of the district in which Avas shown the exact place to which civilians could be directed. The actual work of evacuation Avould be Avhere the warden service came in. E.P.S. Difficulties! Mr J.. L. Burnett, Warden of the - County E.P.S., explained that the • organisation in this area had been built up to a high standard effi{- - ciency, co\'ering all phases of the (Continued in next column)

work which had been entrusted to it. It had been subjected to setbacks recently and forces had unfortunately been at work to upset the good relations which had hitherto existed between the organisation and the Home Guard. Colonel West said lie regretted any of the differences which had arisen hut could point out that when the Selection Committee •which would be dealing with the E'.P.S. manpower in the near future commenced its duties it Avould consider the whole position. No key men would be taken, while any officer with special training or ability would also be carefully considered before any possible change was made. A number of questions relative to the E.P.S. Ambulance Unit at Edgecumbe, Communication, Transport and Civil Evacuation were also asked, Colonel West giving as he said, the fullest explanation possible at the present moment, and assuring the meeting that he would go fully into them later. At the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Regional Commander.