TUBES FULL

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1940, Page 7

TUBES FULL

USE AS SHELTERS EFFECT ON TRANSPORT WORK MUST NOT FALTER

Rec. 10.5 p.m. .London, Sept. 20. London morning newspapers draw attention to a growing danger to the transport system by the increasing use of underground stations as shelters. "Congestions of stations is becoming serious," says the Daily Telegraph. "News that the authorities are not forbidding the use of underground stations as shelters ^ has caused a large increase in the nightly migration. Passengers are forced to struggle through lanes of reeumbent forms. Hundreds take up positions about 5 p.m. and some 'refugees' enter the stations at 3 p.m." Workers Must Travel. The Daily Express also appeals for a reduced use of underground stations to enable workers to travel. This is regarded as a hundredfold more important now the siege is on. "The people's safety will 1 mean nothing if the city's work is alj lowed to slow down or falter, says the ' Express. "One solution would be to dis- [ perse children, the aged and the infirm, and everybody whose labour is not essential. "The Government also faces the problem of shelters in poorer districts. Many women and children spend nights in roofed trenches, which are uncomfortable and insanitary and which are constructed merely for protection against short raids. It is feared that on winter nights these shelters will result in influenza and pneumonia. "It is pathetic to see people queueing up at West End shelters, from which many have to be turned away. Surface shelters in the suburbs are frequently sparsely populated, most people believing their homes are as good." Demand for Deep Shelters. The Daily Mail says: "The demand for deep shelters must and will be met. but it becomes evident that for a number of t reasons we are not going to have speci-all.Y-built deep shelters." 1 Sir John Anderson, Minister of Home Security, is requisitioning idle basement cellars on a large scale, thereby providing shelter for many thousands. ConI gestion at underground stations is liable ! to get out of hand and it is hoped the basements will provide room for all who [are denied the use of the underground I railways. I The Minister has also issued 2,000,000 I leaflets giving employers and workers i guidance for working during air raids. In the preface the Prime Minister, Mr. Winston Churchill, says: "Experience 1 during the past few weeks has taught us that one of the greatest problems is to maintain production in spite of raids. This plan has been evolved by employers and employed, so let us all work it together until victory comes." The plan provides for spotters and improved protection for workers, permitting work until danger is imminent. Workers' pension, compensation and insurance rights are specifically preserved Six thousand persons have, in fact, already received personal irijury allowances.