CIVILIAN NEEDS

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1940, Page 7

CIVILIAN NEEDS

HOUSING OF HOMELESS GOVERNMENT CRITICISED LESSONS NOT LEARNED | . — Rec. 5.5 p.m. London, Sept IT. The Daily Mail asks in an editorial article whether the Government is doing all it can for civilians and whether proper shelters have been provided and complete arrangements made to house those who have been rendered homeless. "The outcome of the battle largely depends on the people's courage and endurance," the paper says. "Sir John Anderson should immediately order the construction of deep bomb-proof shelters in every available open space. The lessons of war elsewhere have not been learned. "The outstanding fact is that the 'dispersal' policy on which Sir John based his plans has failed. Public money is being wasted more and more on surface shelters, revealing lack of foresight, because surface shelters will not withstand contihuous air attack." Effect on Health. The Times says Lord' Horder has been appointed chairman of a Government committee to investigate the effect onhealth of the present use of public shelters, where there. is much overcrowding because of their increasing use as dormitories. Sir John Anderson is investigating the possibility of using tu^e railways as shelters, providing the movement of trains is not "hindered. People are beginning to resort to the undergrounds as shelters after buying tickets. Steps are being taken to discourage the movement of people from communal and garden shelters to large shelters elsewhere, while smaller shelters are left almost empty. The Government is also giving attention to the problem of housing a large number of homeless people.