H.—22 is.

Section 3 relates to the Transport Committee. That Committee is responsible during the emergency period for the supply and maintenance of all forms of transport, internal and external, required for the local community, both for goods and passengers. Section 4 relates to medical, public hygiene, and hospitals. In connection with this Committee, it is obvious that in the event of a national emergency the services of practically all practising doctors and trained nurses in the Dominion would be utilized in a national medical scheme. The organization provided for in the local emergency precautions scheme is suitable for a local emergency such as an earthquake, but in the event of a national emergency it would be necessary for the Medical Committee to contact the Medical Officer of Health for the personnel, equipment, and other services required from the national pool. Then, again, the question of public hygiene does not really come within the scope of the local Committee, as the Medical Officer of Health, in co-ordination with the local authority or local authorities in the area, will be responsible for sanitation, purity of water-supplies, control of infectious diseases, &c., and will carry out any of the extended powers provided for in sections 75 and 76 of the Health Act, 1920. Furthermore, the local Hospital Board will be responsible for all hospitals. Apart from the above, the Medical Committee will be responsible for the medical and nursing needs of the stricken area, which includes the collection and treatment of all casualties. Section 5 provides for the establishment of the Law and Order Committee. In accordance with the Public Safety Conservation Act, 1932, during the emergency period the local senior Police officer will have full authority for the maintenance of law and order, applying any measures which lie considers necessary. At the same time, he will no doubt require varying degrees of assistance in carrying out his duties, and this assistance will be provided by the Law and Order Committee, which will comprise representatives of certain organizations qualified to give it. Section 6 provides for the establishment of a Public Utilities Committee. This Committee is responsible for the supply, distribution, and maintenance of all forms of power, lighting, and heating facilities, whether obtained from within the area affected or from outside sources. Section 7 relates to the Communications Committee. This Committee is responsible for the provision and maintenance of all forms of communications, including telephone, telegraph, wireless, and messengers of all descriptions, within the area, and also the co-ordination of such communications with outside sources. Section 8 provides for the establishment of a Works Committee. This Committee in most cases will probably also be responsible for public utilities referred to under Section 6. During the emergency period the Works Committee is responsible for the provision and maintenance of water-supply, repairs to sewerage systems in collaboration with the Controller of Medical Services, temporary accommodation, and all other emergency construction; for the provision and control of rescue operations, street-clearing, and demolition personnel and equipment and general labour, including the requirements of other Committees. The work of this Committee will entail co-ordination of material, resources, and personnel within the area and the utilization of similar assistance from outside sources. Section 9 deals with the. subject of civilian anti-gas training. This is being more fully explained under a separate heading. Section 10 relates to fire control. During the emergency period the Fire Superintendent is responsible for dealing with outbreaks of fire and maintaining adequate fire precautions. In time of war this responsibility includes fire patrols, in collaboration with the Police, to report and check incipient fires, particularly those caused by incendiary bombs. The Fire Superintendent will require adequate assistance in carrying out his duties, and for this purpose a Committee is recommended consisting of representatives of certain appropriate organizations. Section 11 deals with accommodation and evacuation. The task of this Committee is to arrange, during the emergency, accommodation and temporary feeding arrangements for the local population, particularly those who arc, due to the disaster, shocked and homeless. In addition, if the need arises, this Committee will arrange and control the evacuation of part, or the whole, of the uninjured population from the stricken area to Hiorc congenial surroundings. Section 12 relates to finance and records. This Committee will control and co-ordinate all emergency expenditure, whether undertaken by the Central Committee or by individual Committees. It will also control all the records activities, which will include, where necessary, the registration of volunteers of labour and of the population. Section 13 provides for a Harbour Area Committee. This Committee will assume control of main and secondary New Zealand ports where land organizations are rendered partly or wholly ineffective and where the sea-fronts or harbours offer a safe and workable base. Section 14 provides for a Publicity and Information Committee. This Committee is responsible, during the emergency, for the preparation of information; for co-operation with arid, if necessary, control of press activities; for emergency entertainment; and for the co-ordination of all these matters with outside authorities.

2—H. 22b.

3