ompulsory Fire-fighting
In making new provisions for fire-fighting the Government ave very wisely taken even wider powers than are needed fcr the immediate purpose, and propose to apply the principle which 'as accepted from the first moment when men were conscripzed for military service, and command the service of civilians in ny branch of Civil Defence work. The regulation issued im- poses the obligation of part-time service on civilians of bow sexes between the ages of i6 and 6o, though at present only men will be under compulsion, and only for the purpose of fire-fighting. It is intended as far as possible to rely upon voluntary organisations, but where these need supplementing the local authorities will make use of a pool of workers, liable to service for forty-eight hours a month. Occupiers of business premises must make arrangements to suit the requirements, and for small premises and private houses parties of bomb- fighters must be organised by the local authorities. In either case if enough volunteers are not forthcoming the necessary number will be made up by compulsion. The scheme has been received with general approval, but its administration will lay other considerable burden on already overworked local authorities.
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