SCORCHED EARTH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25021, 15 September 1942, Page 4

SCORCHED EARTH

POLICY IN DOMINION PREPARATIONS IN HAND (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. “Although not much information has been published about the preparations in New Zealand for denying resources lo the enemy in the event of invasion, this matter has been receiving keen and intelligent attention for some time,” said the Minister of Civil Defence. Mr W. A. Bodkin, to-day. “ Working in accordance with advice from the Imperial Government, the New Zealand authorities are taking careful precautions to prevent invaders from increasing their aggressive strength by the use of resources which timely action should deny to them. “Certain action will bo taken, of course, by the armed forces in the event of invasion, in the destruction of military installations and equipment which cannot be removed. This scheme of necessary action will also include communications, such as railways and bridges, but, apart from that limited programme, the denial of resources — certain national assets and the assets of local authorities, private persons and companies—must be undertaken by the civil defence organisation, and will require the utmost co-operation of those concerned. The enemy must not be allowed to have (be benefit of harbour facilities, the big workshops of the heavy industries, vehicles, small seacraft. stocks of oil, fuel and coal, and various other materials and machinery which would increase his attacking power.

Industrialists Criticised

“ The absolute need for such denial,” the Minister added, “ should be apparent, and yet there is evidence that the heads of some large industrial establishments, which invaders would dearly like to use. are loth to give proper heed to the warnings about the need for satisfactory preparations. Such an attitude cannot be allowed to stand in the way of the national need. It can be said emphatically that the authorities have the best of reasons for the present preparations. Their information gives better guidance to the public than the notions of persons who tend to be influenced more by shortsighted personal considerations than by factors of national safety. “ E.P.S. technical committees have been set up in all E.P.S. areas. They have the responsibility of organising and training units which will be available immediately for any action needed in the denial of resources to the enemy. This procedure is part of the defence system, which-must be aggressive and not passive. It is important always to remember that the *P’ in E.P.S. does not stand for ‘Passive.’ “The War Cabinet, on the most expert advice available, has determined that denial of resources must be an integral part of our defence plan, and that civil defence is required to undertake the very important responsibility of co-operating with the armed forces c 0 far as the civil resources are concerned. Provision for Compensation “It is necessary for me, therefore, as Minister of Civil Defence, to call upon all E.P.S. organisations to proceed immediately with the necessary preparations. I am certain that once convinced that the work is a valuable part of our defence plan they will make the scheme entirely efficient. “Provided that property is covered by a war damage policy,” the Minister concluded, “the Crown’s liability for compensation in regard to the denial of resources to the enemy is shown in the following additional definition of ‘war damage’ in the War Damage Amendment Act, 1942:—‘ Damage occurring, whether accidentally or not, as a direct result of measures taken under the proper authority with a view to destroying any property for the purpose of preventing it falling into the hands of the enemy or being used by the enemy.”’