E.P.S. WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 October 1942, Page 2

E.P.S. WORK

FILM SCREENING LAST NIGHT BIG MUSTER IN ASSEMBLY HALL. EFFECTS OF BOMB DAMAGE. Close on 600 members of the Masterton E.P.S. were present at the Wairarapa College Assembly Hall last night to witness the screening of films depicting the effect of high explosive bombs and the means of making reconnaissance of unexploded bombs. The screen was so small that many in the hall were unable to follow the screenings intelligently and in that respect the display was rather disappointing, especially in view of the large attendance. In introducing Mi- C. W. Hamann, Deputy Chief Engineer, Ministry of Home Security, England, at present acting as official adviser to the New Zealand Government on civil defence, and Colonel Ciochetto, Regional Commissioner, Central Military District, the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, who is also District Controller of the E.P.S. organisation, expressed his satisfaction with the large attendance. “I am very proud to see it like this. Well done!” said Mr Jordan. Mr Jordan spoke in admiration of the fortitude and spirit of the people of the Old Country; the spirit of the men and women, he said, would not be broken. The spirit of the British people was marvellous, said Mr Hamann, who added that their reaction to bombing was one of confident people who had a job to do and were masters of that job. Everyone had a task to carry out. Mr Hamann warned New Zealanders against an attitude of complacency and indifference. There were bitter examples of what had happened elsewhere — at Rotterdam, in Norway, at Singapore and at Pearl Harbour. They could not allow the attitude of complacency to spread; where it existed it had to be wiped out. The same quality and efficiency of the E.P.S. organisation was needed in New Zealand as in England, as high explosive bombs could kill and maim just as many people in New Zealand as in the Old Country. Unless every officer of the service could rely absolutely on the loyalty and the proper execution of instructions by every member of the service, they would have chaos. Ordinary peace-time methods were not sufficient, and a great deal of regimentation was necessary. ‘Mr Hamann went on to speak of the organisation of the Emergency Precautions Service in Britain, and of the effects of high explosive bombs and other missiles.

Colonel Ciochetto, who asked that his remarks should not be reported, also briefly addressed the gathering.

In moving a vote of thanks to Mr Hamann and Colonel Ciochetto, Mr Jordan appealed to all members of the E.P.S. and other members of the community to do their best to pull together and not to spend so much time in taking one another down. “I am seriously concerned with the spirit of the community,” said Mr Jordan. “I mean in everyday life.” Lieutenant Harcombe was thanked for placing his services and equipment at the disposal, of the E.P.S., and the College authorities were thanked for making the hall available for the gathering.