1940-11-20 — Page 9

CHINA MAIL Special A.R.P. Supplement

HONG KONG, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1940.

H.E. THE ACTING GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE-

THE necessity for provision for Air Raid Pre- cautions need hardly be emphasised, Hong Kong no less than’almost any other part of the Empire must make such provision in a war of which the future course is unpredictable.

The vulnerability of Hong Kong against air attack is obvious. Equally obvious are some of the difficulties to be encountered in preparing a scheme of defence.

Fortunately we have two great assets: we have now wide experience to draw on from all corners of the world - notably from Europe and our own cities in England — while focal

Wing-Commander A, H, S. Steele-Perkins, Director of Air

Raid Precautions, Hong. Kong.

conditions can be studied from the experi- ence of the neighbouring provinces of China.

Then we have a. Director of Air Raid Pre- cautions of exceptional experience, for, prior to his arrival in Hong Kong, Wing-Com- mander Stṛele-Perkins held a highly respon- sible position in this department in England. In addition he is daily demonstrating that he has both organising ability and drive.

His task is a heavy and responsible one and I should like to preface this supplement which deals with his work by expressing my -own confidence — shared I know by the gen-

eral public – in his ability to cope with it.

Colony's Loyal Band Of Volunteers

By Wing-Commander A. H. Steele-Perkins Modern warfare now not entirely at the mercy our problem in Hong involves the whole com- of such attacks, but that Kong is either different munity, and the civilian they can contend with them and endure them,

or insoluble. It is im- of to-day is in the front and carry on work in spite mense, but if it is broken into fragments, and each

line, and until the happy of them.

day when the millenium In viewing the trials part dealt with in a co- sets in and we can devote which the people of Great operative spirit, then I ourselves entirely to the Britain are now being am convinced that our peaceful occupation which subjected to, we must try problems and difficulties we all enjoy, we must and analyse what else be- can be overcome. A vo- give some attention to a sides. their undaunted luntary organisation such danger which does exist courage and faith in their as A.R.P. cannot stand and which may affect cause enables them to unless its leaders are serv- "every one of us.

stand up to these fero- ed by a large mass of men

The personnel of the clous attacks. I believe and women, inspired by A.R.P. organisation are it is partly due to sentiment and bound to- indeed the fourth service, the fact that the nation gether by ties of friend- but unlike the other ser- has been trained in the ship and confidence. I am vices, their role is passive, precautions which they happy to be able to record and their object is to miti- can take to protect them that throughout the gate suffering, to carry selves, and that their un- A.R.P. personnel in this help and succour to those fortunate experiences Colony, a community who need it, and to keep have proved that the spirit has been develop- the home front going. training they have receiv- ed, and should the acid In the dastardly bomb- ed has, when put to prac- test ever come, the gen- ing attacks on London tical purposes, been effec- eral public will find this and other cities of Great-tive.

loyal little band of A.R.P: Britain, it has been prov- There is no reason to volunteers ever ready to ed that the population is believe that, in the main, do their duty.

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