PROTECTION NEEDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24424, 9 October 1940, Page 8

PROTECTION NEEDED

SABOTAGE IN INDUSTRY PRECAUTIONS BY GOVERNMENT QUESTION ASKED IN HOUSE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter* WELLINGTON, Oct. 8. Regulations to ensure that all necessary precautions against sabotage are observed by the managements at freezing works and other important places are under immediate consideration by the Government, according to a statement by the Prime Minister (Mr_P. Fraser) in reply to an urgent question by Mr T. D. Burnett (Opposition. Temuka) in the House of Representatives to-day. The regulations, Mr Fraser added, would also give to watchmen certain additional powers of detention and search to assist those men in the more efficient protection of property. “ What.steps have been taken... by tjhe■ Government adequately to protect the Dominion’s freezing works from sabotage and attacks from Fifth Columnists?” asked Mr Burnett. He said it was understood that some months ago conferences were held between Government departments and freezing works’ representatives to discuss the problem, but the South Canterbury works remained unguarded. “The importance of freezing works in the economy of the Dominion has been in no way under-estimated by the Government/’ replied the Prime Minister. “In June last, at a conference attended by representatives of the Meat Board and Freezing Works Association, it was agreed that the protection of these undertakings should be assumed by the managements themselves. Watchmen were to be appointed, to pay particular attention to vital parts of the works-such as the engine room—and arrangements have been made for police..officers to visit these watchmen at as- frequent inter? vals as possible. : : “The Government considers, it undesirable, and, in fact, dangerous, for watchmen to be armed with firearms,, said Mr Fraser, “ but • they have been equipped with batons and whistles, which are considered adequate. Permission was never given at any time for these men to carry, firearms. These arrangements were based on tne recommendation of the Vital Points Committee of the Organisation for National Security, which consists of the chiefs of the naval, general, and air staffs, and the commissioner of police.