URGENT APPEAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 79, 13 January 1940, Page 4

URGENT APPEAL.

RECRUITS FOR SECOND ECHELON CAMPAIGN IN ASHBURTON. DUTY OF PROMPT DECISION. "Apathy is the accomplice of defeat and it is no use waiting to be galvanised into action by disaster. 1940 will be one of the most vital years in history and we all have a duty we must not neglect.” Mr W. R. Lascplles, representative of the Centerbury Recruiting Committee, and principal speaker at the recruiting rally in East Street last evening, made an urgent appeal to the youth of the country to realise their responsibilities in a conflict, on the outcome of which, the future of the British Empire so vitally depended. The Mayor (Dr. G. I. Miller) presided. and gave a short address, while Mr A. N. Grigg, M.P., also spoke. The meeting was held when there was a large number of people in town, and about 1000 listened to the addresses. "It should be remembered that if wo do not end war, war will end us,” said the speaker. The appeals at present being made in the country were in ho sense to drive men to enlist, he continued. It was a matter for the individual himself t-o decide, hut an effort was being made to impress on the people the urgency of the appeal. The First Echelon had already gone overseas, and even if there was no conscription it was the duty of the country to ensure that these men were supported. "Everyone believes that the Empire does not stand in any danger of ultimate defeat, but an ordinary victory is not enough. If we emerge from this cataclysm battered and bleeding how are we going to face the trials to follow. We must have a cheap victory and a quick victory.” Tremendous Job to Do. England had a tremendous job to do and was doing it magnificently, continued Mr Lascelles. It was up to this country to appreciate its own responsibility. Measured against England, what had New Zealand done so far? "Neither you nor I can be prouiToFTt.”

So remote from the-war were we that there was nothing to stir us into action. The same fibre and quality of the pioneers must he relied upon to give rise to that latent patriotism, which, when inspired, would again put New Zealand with the best.

"It is no good walking down the pavements of Ashburton saying ‘What a pity the war started.’ That is the way wars are lost, how liberty is lost and empires fall. This country has not been stirred to make a real war effort.

"I do want to impress upon you that we are fighting a pretty tough enemy and the vitality of time. Five thousand men have gone overseas who must be supported. I call on the young men who have no special responsibilities to realise this fact. It is a question to he measured by themselves; a matter of their own conscience and their own courage. And quite apart from those who are able to give their physical support, those at home must realise their responsibilities. If civilisation survives this war the peace that follows will he just as difficult. It is the duty of those at home to prepare an atmosphere of peace and to give to the world some ot the harmony it so richly deserves.” Strength of German Army. The speaker gave a general outline of the international situation since the outbreak of the war and stressed particularly the tremendous strength of the German army and the likelihood of Hitler attempting a lightning victory. The estimated mass strength of the German army was 300 divisions, but it was not known what surprises might be in store. The fighting capabilities of the army were well shown by the campaign in Poland, which was defeated with 80 divisions in 21 days. "We certainly cannot afford to underestimate the enemy,” said Mr Lascelles.

“All will share the view that the response of tlxe British Commonwealth has been magnificent,” he went on, making reference to England’s fighting forces. It appeared by events so far that our air arm was more than a match for the Germans, while we were entitled to feel proud of the Navy. “We have still got the Nelson touch Here, ’ he said.

The strength of the army was a question that more particularly concerned us. A year before war came the : rmy was a small one, ill-prepared and illequipped. But in the limited time allowed by the Munich Agreement, Britain had done something that surpassed belief. It was up against a tough enemy, however. “The German army is the greatest military force in the history of the world—well, that is what experts say and I am just handing it on.”

“Each one of us must measure up to the duty of a prompt decision,” said Mr Lascelles, in conclusion. “We may dedicate ourselves to some service for the protection of liberty and democracy.” j Ashburton Must Play Part. Appealing to Ashburton to do its share in providing recruits for the Second Echelon, the Mayor said it was sometimes hard to realise that the rest of the British Empire was at war. “Britain is the market for our produce and are we going to ride on England’s back in a time like this?” he asked. “No—we all must do our bit. It is not my place to say that you should go to war—that is up to yourselves.”

The Government had made an urgent appeal for recruits, said Mr Grigg. The appeal was mainly for men between 20 and 30 years of age. “Ashburton has a duty to play its part in the war,” he continued. Recruits in Now Zealand were being called upon for the defence of New Zealand, whether they were sent overseas or not. Hitler had made it clear that he wanted a colonial empire, and if Germany won the war, New

Zealand would become part of the German empire.

“To; many people in New Zealand, so remote from Europe, the war has seemed unreal. They, are now gradually realising how real it is.” Those who saw the troops leave Wellington last Friday could not'help but realise we were involved in a very real war. The comparative calm so far had also deceived many people. “It is only a calm before the storm; surely wo are not going to wait until the storm is upon us. We must prepare now, for it will surely hit us later. “Ashburton and Nbw Zealand are not going tc let the British Empire down,” concluded Mr Grigg. “New Zealand has a job to do and will no doubt do it just as well as in the last war.”