VIEW IN AUCKLAND

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 100, 22 January 1943, Page 4

VIEW IN AUCKLAND

People Have Already Done Their Part (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 21. No official information lias been received by the E.P.S. authorities at Auckland concerning the suggested compulsory two hours’ weekly training for personnel. It is stated that any such suggestion would come from the National Service Department through the Regional Commissioner, Colonel' West, who is now in Wellington. No enthusiasm has been expressed in the city for such a move and the chief warden, Mr. J. A, C. Allum, stated that he did not think other than a skeleton E.P.S. could he kept going today.

“We are in the position of the normal fire brigade,” said Air. Allum. “waiting for something to happen, which is only bearable when wc are told there is danger but intolerable when informed that the danger has lessened. If an alarm came the whole organization would spring into action. Tho people have done tneir part during the past year; why bother them unnecessarily? Wc do not want to do any work for show, but will never regret what has been done.” Air. AHum said that a course for volunteer instructors was starting at 'Wellington at the end of the month. There was little enthusiasm, because the department was arranging to engage men at salaries of £5OO for instructional work in tlie four centres.