NEED OF RECRUITS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 March 1941, Page 4

NEED OF RECRUITS

FOR EMERGENCY FIRE SERVICE URGED BY MR SEMPLE. WISDOM OF BEING PREPARED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. “Enemy bombing of civilian centres lias shown that, the destruction of property and the homes and lives of the .people has become one of the main tactics of aggression,” said the Minister of National Service, Mr Semple, in an appeal last night for recruits for emergency fire services.

He added that men who could effectively hose their lawns on a Saturday afternoon, or clean the windows of their suburban homes, could easily become efficient fire-fighters against enemy incendiarism. Wise people in war time were always prepared for the worst instead of being content to live complacently in the best conditions. Mr Semple said the nation that produced a Hitler, that monster of iniquity, the embodiment of crime with a soul like a fiend from Hell, believed that fire and all other forms of indescribable torture and destruction should be used indiscriminately as demoralising weapons of modern warfare against innocent people. “Though we have been free of Britain’s terrible experience,” the Minister continued, “we all know from authoritative British reports that, under enemy bombing raids, fires caused by incendiary bombs spring up as if by some devil’s magic. There may be simultaneous outbreaks of fire in a hundred different places. Such has been the experience of the United Kingdom. “I have never been an alarmist, and I do not intend to become one now. Panic has never been the mainspring of effective policy. It is reasonable to say, however, that no one knows whether or not New Zealand, with its present wonderful conditions, may suffer Britain’s experience. Distance is no barrier to foul aggression if circumstances should favour the aggressors.” Mr. Semple emphasised the necessity for all the people to co-operate fully with the Government in providing efficient emergency fire-fighting equipment supported by trained personnel. “Without such support the best equipment is worthless,” he added. “Machinery is great in defence, but trained men to work it make it greater. “The Emergency Fire Service needs recruits. We want the services of men with practical enthusiasm, which means ready willingness to serve. If men are physically fit, age is not a bar to membership of the Fire Guard. Training in itself is physically beneficial. The work is interesting. The knowledge that adequate safeguards are being established is in itself a great reward for individual service. “Uniforms and equipment are provided, and parades as paid for by the Government. If you are not already a member of a national service unit or organisation I urge you to enrol in the Emergency Fire Service. Transfer from the Home Guard may be arranged. We want every citizen to realise that the Government desires to secure the best possible service from every individual. Apply to serve at your local fire brigade station or Emergency Precautions Organisation, and the duty for which you are best fitted will be allotted with every encouragement to give effective service/’