ORGANISED CONTROL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 245, 13 September 1940, Page 5

ORGANISED CONTROL

EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS. The Mayor (Mr T. L. Sedclon), at the .Borough Council meeting, surveyed the Home Guard and Emergency Precautions Organisation set up in Fending for the purpose of meeting any I emergency involving the town. The Minister in charge of the promotion of the organisations throughout the Dominion had written to the Mayor approving of the skeleton plan submitted to him covering the proposals for the working of the organisation in Feilding. In later correspondence, the Minister congratulated the Mayor upon the organisation arranged for Feilding in the event of any disaster of any nature overtaking the town. The various organisations set up would be co opted in the • national scheme. The reports of the controllers of the various phases of activities had been received and these were considered to be very good. The controllers and their committees had gone to considerable; trouble to perfect their organisations! and had been given assistance by the organisations operating in the town. Possibilities of fire, flood, earthquake and enemy action were provided for. The local bodies throughout the district were sympathetic and were prepared to co-operate with the central organisation. The chairman of the latter committee could secure the services of any person outside the organisation should he desire to do so in tlie interests of public safety. The chairman of the central committee must, in conformity with the regulation, be the Mayor, it was stated. The scheme set up prior to the regulations being gazetted in August lntd been validated bv the regulations. The Emergency Rescue Corps incorporated the Home Guard, the Emergency Precautions Organisation, the Women’s Auxiliary and any other organisation the Minister might direct to be included. Over all, the local body authorities, had control until such time as the military authorities assumed control. in which event all organisations! would be under military laws. Working on the committee would be the Mayor, town clerk, deputy-Mayor, representatives of the R.S.A". Chamber of Commerce, and the employees’ unions.