DEFENCE OF BRITAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20512, 31 May 1938, Page 9

DEFENCE OF BRITAIN

AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS APPEAL BY HOME SECRETARY 1,000,000 VOLUNTEERS WANTED touted Press Assn.—E>cc. Tel. Co:. LONDON, May 30 Although gas had not been used In Spain or In China, it might be used in a war against Britain, said the Home Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare. He was making a public appeal for GOO.OOO more women to volunteer for work in Air-Raid Precautions Service. The object is to bring the total up to 1,000,000. “Once again,” said the Minister, “I speak under the shadow of threatening clouds. I hope and believe that the storm will pass. Nevertheless, the wise citizen will set his house in order against possible risks. “Passive defence is an essential part of defence. Critics wrongly assert that the precautions are humbug and say we have started at the wrong end with gas masks, pointing out that nobody has been attacked with gas in Spain or China- “ But Britain is a different target. Gas bombs, with incendiary and high explosives, might be a most formidable instrument of panic in some future attack. “We must bring to this difficult task the fresh mind, untiring devotion and keen imagination which have already made women's work a priceless treasure of our national life.” SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH NEW POST AT WAR OFFICE DR. H. J. GOUGH AS DIRECTOR (Official Wireless) (Received May 21, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, May 30 Dr. H. J. Gough, superintendent of the engineering department at the National Physical Laboratory, has been appointed to the new post of Director of Scientific Research at the War Office, which was forecast by the Secretary of War in introducing the Army Estimates in March.