15 MAY 1941, Page 3

At last Mr. Herbert Morrison has decided to reorganise the

fire-fighting service. This is grossly overdue, and even now appears to be a half-measure. After months of letters and articles, after a preliminary appointment of Mr. W. S. Morrison to superintend fire-defence, Mr. Mabane is to be put in charge of a national army of fire-fighters, and Miss Ellen Wilkinson is to look after fire-watching. New powers are sought to convert the hundreds of local fire-brigades into one great force, with common standards and proper leadership. This is, of course, a move in the right direction, but fire is only one aspect of civil defence. It remains to be seen whether more compre- hensive measures will not be wanted.