NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 140, 15 June 1936, Page 6

NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Mr. Clifton is to be congratulated on his able and interesting letter on national defenee. As he says, the writing is on the wall. Will we read and learn, or act as the ostrich? To su""i'st defence measures these days is almost a "crime. Our national .motto apparently is "Pleasure and Leisure." History tells us all great nations rose by the sword and only retained their power and position by the same means, and the British nation is no exception. Wars are caused by the hate, greed and jealousy of mankind. Civilisation is but a veneer; scratch through it, and the brute instincts of man remain as ill bygone ages. That we will have to fight to retain our present position in the world is as certain as it is that -night follows day, and the only question is when and where will the blow fall, and what means we will take to meet it. Pacifist politicians and their kin have don<v their best to kill the military spirit in the rising generation, while other nations have fostered it as a national duty. Little change can be expected from the present Government; they are too busy with ideals. They pin their fa it'll on that useless organisation, now singing its swan song, the League of (some) Nations. The world respects a gallant fighter, but has only contempt for a spineless people without the* courage or ability to defend themselves. Mr. Clifton suggests 'immigration, but a big population is useless if untrained and > illequipped, and the average Briton is about as keen on things military as the average New Zealander. Twenty years ago the New Zealand troops were recognised as among the best of the fighting forces in the World War. How have the mighty fallen, and the lions turned into lambs! ,*•' H. FLEMING.