E.P.S. ORGANISATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1941, Page 6

E.P.S. ORGANISATION

MEETING OF MASTERTON COMMITTEE FURTHER PREPARATIONS MADE FOR EMERGENCY. CONTROL OF TRANSPORT. Further arrangements were made to meet a possible emergency in Masterton and district at a meeting of the E.P.S. Committee, presided over by the chairman, Mr T. Jordan. A welcome was extended by the chairman to Miss M. Holdsworth representing the Women’s Emergency Corps and also to Messrs King. Milner and Forsberg of the Mauriceville E.P.S. Committee, who desired io link up with the Masttertdn Committee. Mr Jordan reported that as an outcome of a meeting of the E.P.S. firemen and the deputy superintendent of the Masterton Fire Brigade, the E.P.S. members had agreed to assemble every fortnight from 7.30 to 9 p.m. to receive instruction in the use of bucket pumps and other fire-fighting equipment. An application by the Women’s Emergency Corps for permission to use the Municipal Hall every Monday night from 6 to 7 p.m. was referred to the Masterton Borough Council. The Director of the National Service Department wrote expressing regret that an intimation of an arrangement! whereby petrol station owners and employees were to be enrolled in the Home Guard had not been sent to the E.P.S. transport controller. EMERGENCY TRANSPORT. Mr Jordan stated that at a meeting convened by the Director of National Service and held about six weeks ago, it was agreed that the Government be recommended to appoint a Dominion controller of emergency transport with district controllers appointed in consultation with the E.P.S. committees for the purpose of making adequate provision for (a) the mobilisation requirements of the army; .(b) the essential requirements of the E.P.S. and (c) a pool to be drawn on by all organisations requiring transport to meet an emergency. A further suggestion was that except when a state of emergency existed a right of appeal should be provided from the decisions of the local controllers to the Transport Licensing Authority. This question had| been advanced a stage further by a recent meeting at which it was authoritatively stated that the Government was taking action upon these lines. Home Guard requirements, it was mentioned, would be included in army impressment. Mr J. C. D. Mackley, Transport Controller, stated that pending the announcement about to be made, the Transport Committee found it. impracticable to proceed further with local transport organisations. The regulations when brought into force would enable the local organisation regarding transport to be proceeded with. FLOUR STOCKS.

In response to the committee’s representations, the Director of the National ® Service Department stated- that ar- *■ rangement's were being made to store : emergency stocks of flour in Masterton amounting to 110 tons, equivalent to 4 eight weeks’ supply. The director asked the committee to induce bakers and grocers to carry at least a fortnight’s stocks in addition to their normal stocks. It was agreed to secure particulars as to storage and supply, the Borough ’ Inspector. Mr T. A. Russell to approach the bakers and grocers in the matter of ■ carrying additional stocks. ' The Masterton branch of the Plunket • Society submitted proposals for a short . course of instruction in mothercraft for C voluntary workers known as Plunket *■ aids, whose duty it would be to assist ' in the care of babies and young child- ' ren, if necessary, as the result of war ’ or other national emergency. The society stated that while it desired to link ’ up with the E.P.S. organisation it would like to retain its own identity. 1 in a similar manner to the Red Cross !. Society. It was decided to thank the society ( for its offer of service and to notify 5 1 the Medical and Public Health and Accommodation and Evacuation Commitj tee of the society’s plans in order that ' these might be recorded by them for use in an emergency. WOMEN HELPERS. The controller of the Medical and I Public Health Committee advised that (the Masterton Rod Cross Society had i I formed amongst the young ladies of I the town and district a voluntary aid and transport section for training in first aid, A.R.P. and mechanics. He ask- ■ ed if arrangements could be made for trainees to received instruction in handling motor lorries. The chairman stated that the transport of sick and wounded soldiers was beyond the scope of the E.P.S. but the matter of instruction in handling lorries would be referred to the Transport Committee. The secretary of the Wairarapa Hospital Board wrote asking' if arrangements could be made for suitable clerical staff for emergency hospitals and also for transport* It was agreed that enrolments for clerical workers be left in the hands of Messrs Norman Lee. A. ; D. Low, and Miss Holdsworth and that . transport arrangements be referred to the Transport Controller. Mr J. C. D. Mackley. ( The secretary of the Wairarapa Hospital Board drew attention to a circu- s lar letter from the Director-General ■ of Health concerning additional per- 5 sonncl for emergency hospitals and re'- t quirements of additional tradesmen. ; porters, etc. STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS. j Mr C. R. Mabson stated that with Mr Lee he had conferred with the _ Masterton Master Builders' Association - and had discussed plans for the necos- a sary structural alterations which might ( bo required to convert premises into ( - emergency hospitals. It was considered that the elder hoys at Wairarapa Col- / lege could fill the position of porters. v etc. ,g II was decided Io send a letter to the Principal of Wairarapa College r asking for bis eo-owration. g Mr Lee advised that the Wairarapa h Hospital Board had a certain amount |li of (ire-fighting equipment. Tie asked if| c arrangements could bo made with the| Superintendent of the Fire Brigade loi'iC training the hospital sial) in the use <'fip the enuinment. n‘ Mr T. B. Clark. Superintendent, slat-1 cd (hat he would bo pleased Io do so. II was decided that the Dominion! Piro Controller bo advised that the sc F.P.S had ordered throiu’h the Master-i tl’ ton Firo'Board nine bucket pumps at b<

a cost of .£3B 15s. and to ask the controller io endeavour to see that the order was filled. It. was agreed to notify the St. John Ambulance Nursing Division if there were any lectures or suitable training given under the E.P.S. The secretary reported that Mr 11. Bern had offered the use of his emergency lighting plant. Mr R. Lambert had also offered .the use of a special lighting unit. II was decided to purchase two benzine pressure lamps. The chairman advised that Mr J. H. Cunningham had been appointed deputy controller of the Supply Comniittee.