BRITAIN’S DEFENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26625, 22 November 1947, Page 7

BRITAIN’S DEFENCE

CIVIL ORGANISATION MR ATTLEE ANNOUNCES NEW PUN Rec. 8 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 20. It was hoped to provide a new civil defence organisation comprising partly civilian static and mobile services and partly military mobile columns trained in civil defence, Mr Attlee told the House of Commons. The military mobile columns would provide a reserve for the reinforcement of lo?al services where necessary. It was hoped eventually to have the assistance of clubs and associations formerly interested in civil defence and of other voluntary agencies and the general public in building up civilian elements in the proposed new organisation. Mr Attlee, replying to a question, said that in the planning of civil defence, the possibility of atomic bombs was being taken into account. Commenting on Mr Attlee's statement, The Times, in a leading article, says: “ These are not panic measures; they must, unhappily, be part of the routine precautions of citizens of any country if it is to be sure its defence is in order. Mr Attlee's emphasis on the importance of using the existing voluntary associations was specially welcome. The bulk of these services must be founded upon a house-to-house, village and street organisation. “ The spirit of public duty and the sacrifices called forth by the necessities of war had to be co-ordinated last time without experience, and by trial and error. It is right that this same spirit, strengthened by the experience gained, should be a foundation on which the country’s future permanent civil defence is now to be built.”