Ratepayers Want Civil Defence Scheme Under Way As Soon As Possible

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 49, 24 June 1965, Page 1

Ratepayers Want Civil Defence Scheme Under Way As Soon As Possible

Civil defence organisation exercised the minds of those attending the annual meeting of the Taupo Citizens' and Ratepayers' Association on Tuesday. The association decided to ask the joint local hodie(s to get the scheme under way as soon as possible. Mr N. Gray said he was a firm believer in civil defence and that "we must be pr epa red for earthquake and other natural disasters, but that the cost was too heavy for a small rapidly developing town such as Taupo". The cost should be borne by the Government. He said that the association should ask the Member of Parliament, Mrs Rona Stevenson, to petition Parliament regarding this matter. Mr Bryce said that the people of Taupo had no idea of assembly points or what to do, and cited the case of the recent disturbances in Taupo which, if they had become stronger, could have caused a major disaster with none of the people in the community knowing

what they had to do or where to go. Mr Stanley said that there was no point in having civil defence unless it was organised properly and to this end the towTn elerk had recently been to Australia and would be placing his report before the coun-| cil shortly, when the whole I scheme would be properly j and efAciently organised j and the people fully ac- ; quainted with what they j had to do. It was no good having the people who wanted to help actually getting in the road, and Mr Stanley felt that the whole thing would become elear and would be thoroughly organised now that the town clerk would be able to let everyone know just what to do. The thing must be done properly and have the support of the people. The following motion was passed. "That this meeting endorses the scheme under way and that the local bod-: ies be urged to take the: next steps as soon as possible."