* * Civilian Defence The decision to appoint twelve Regional
Commissioners for A.R.P. is welcome, as they will enable local authorities to proceed with A.R.P. schemes without the delay caused by the necessity of consulting the Home Office. It is essential, however, that they should possess full public confidence in their regions ; and some uneasiness has been caused because their full war powers are not to be revealed in time of peace, though it is known that in cases of emergency they will assume the authority of the Central Government in their fXgions: Such secrecy is somewhat at variance with Sir John Anderson's desire that every citizen shall have full know- ledge of civilian defence measures. The ideal is an admir- able one ; and it is the ideal that has inspired the formation of the Air Defence League which, aiming at large popular membership, hopes to perform for air defence the functions performed by the Navy League and the Air League for other services. Such an aim deserves every support ; besides giving publicity to the needs of air defence, the League will co-ordinate information, criticism and suggestions, and will make expert enquiries into such questions as evacuation, transport, and balloon barrages. It should serve as an ad- mirable medium for concentrating public interest in air defence and a valuable intermediary between the public and the Government. *
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