CITY TARGETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1937, Page 17

CITY TARGETS.

THE AIR BANGER.

MENACE TO CIVILIANS.

LABOUR PREMIER'S WARNING

(Prom Onr Own Correspondent.)

SYDNEY,;January 20.

A few days ago Mr. Ogilvie, the Premier of Tasmania, returned from a tour through Europe, and during his brief stay in Sydney he supplied a "Sun" interviewer with some interesting information on the various public personages of whom he had formed impressions during his sojourn abroad.

In view of Mr. Ogilvie's advanced Labour views it is ntft remarkable that he thought Soviet Russia a very wonderful country, and that he gives a high place among the leaders of the age to the Russian Foreign Minister, Litviiioff. "I consider," he said, "that Lityinoff is the cleverest man in Europe to-day." But what impressed him most about Kuiope is the warlike atmosphere that prevades it. and the desperate efforts that all the Continental nations seem to be making to arm themselves and prepare against all possible contingencies while yet there is time. air. Ogilvie apparently does not think that a great world war can be long avoided, nur does he see how this country, remote as it may seem from the main course of world events, can avoid being drawn into it. 'Few people in Australia," said Mr. Ogilvie, "believe that we are in danger of being attacked, but Litvinoff believes that Sydney and Melbourne will yet become the targets for a powerful foreign air fleet." Mr. Ogilvie quotes Litvinoff with even greater dramatic-effect: "Litvinoff told me," he informed the pressman, "that I would live to see the day wheii Sydney and Melbourne would be blown'to pieces within 24 hours." Possibly Litvinoff has in view that inevitable conflict between Russia and Japan in the Far East, in which Britain and. the Empire may possibly be involved, but considering the large number of" people who pass through life complacently assuring themselves that "it could never happen here," Mr.. Ogilvie's quotation may serve to remind Australians that they and their country can claim no immunity from the common destinies of mankind,