MRW ZEALAND'S DEFENCES

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 18

MRW ZEALAND'S DEFENCES

Kindly permit me space in your paper to emphasise the importance of New Zealand's defence. jDur Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, says hie defence U population, but what about the people who are already residing in New Zealand? What preparations, if any, have been made to protect the people who will inevitably suffer from an invasion |, y enemy 'planes? Let us take a lesson from the* invasion of Abyssinia by the Italians. It would be, impossible,. Joe ,JCje W . Zealand. - acting alone, to keep, eay, Her many or Japan from coming here and playing havoc. It is the havoc I am concerned ahw-.it. Where are the gas masks, places that could be transformed into temporary hospitals, doctors and nurses that would be needed in case of war! One glance at the map will show that in time of war England would have enough to do without assisting New Zealand, and likewise Australia. I am not doubting that we should get assistance in case of war, probably from America; but that does not alter the fact that we in New Zealand should be prepared," for a sudden attack by enemy 'planes. I am not a pessimist, but- I- sincerely hope'-that the p«bple of New Zealand will'wake up and see things as they are and not as they would like them to be". W. R. PARNELL.