A RAGE FOR EX-SERVICEMEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 219, 16 September 1939, Page 9 (Supplement)

A RAGE FOR EX-SERVICEMEN

Special Message From 'Trooper'

WI IF-N undertook to review World War days I did not quite anticipate that one day such would be broken in continuity by any reference to another conflagration, which promises to perhaps even eclipse the last. Tfillcrs hook, "Mein TCampf," has nlwa\ * impressed me as tho declaration 01 tin' intent ion nf a nuin who believes hi' 1 1 "1 'I' having a "mission" t.o I«erm:illi-*i; the world; a mission which enn he -ninmed lip as "World Conquest or I '• <» ii I'm II." What liu wrote in "Mein Kani|>f" is pel h'l l ls niit, as important, as what he Jiiii <I • • 11 1* since. 11 is actions, purlieuIn rl v during the last few years, have been an immense and significant indicatimi of his declared purpose. It is not what he says, or has said, that matters, but- what ho does, flu has done much for Germany in many ways. To deny him such credit as he is entitled to would he manifestly unfair. But the question that now remains to ho answered is: Will ho destroy, or has he already destroyed, most of all of what he has done? No one can deny a nation its right to adopt, its own political or economic philosophy; hut. that endows no nation wit li a. presumptive right to subjugate another to its own particular doctrine. Germany believes herself, in the Nazi expression, to hold such a prescriptive right. Events since the invasion of Austria by Germany to her invasion of Poland Bhovv conclusively that Hitler has not fceen amenable to taking any course » —

"STAND TO": 1939

suggested by other nations that would in the smallest respect lessen the advantage, or domination, he expected to obtain from pursuit of his own idea. Valiant efforts have been made not only by Britain, but other great nations to avert war. For these thev are entitled to respect and support. Whatever defects may appear in the vessel from the potter's wheel after the World War, however imperfect it may be, in "t hands it might have been much more so. Small consolation though this may lie, it is some. The clay of the vessel, now Iteing broken up, will remain. When the time coines, as come it will, to put it back on the wheel, it will be for every nation to help in creating the new design and in such a pattern that the vessel will stand the test of time, looked upon as a thing of beauty that no one nation would think of destroying. This clay could be re-moulded without war. But Na/.i Germany, through Hitler, believes she has the right to create that new design. This cannot be so. Born in a mind obsessed with the pattern of world domination, the pattern would not be acceptable as useful, much less beautiful. Where do we stand in all thisT As in September, 1014, and onwards, we fit and loyally determined to support our Government in whatever action it may take. Whatever our individual local politics may be, efforts to resist aggression have no place for them. We

stand shoulder to shoulder ready. Now Zealand s battle front is wherever Britain fights. Britain's fate is our fate. There can be no illusions about this. As in the autumn days in Europe in 1914, when the smoke from peaceful fires gave way to that from tho guns of war, we have but one course ahead. We must tight, and this time with even greater cause. ~ J hose of us who served in the World War will have sull'ered varied reactions during recent events. We iiave felt that those years, whatever they brought us as individuals, have been for little tangible and lasting result. This may ap|K-ar so to many of u». It may have (i oated in some a bitterness, a sense () f futility; that nothing we have done or can do is any good. Should such thoughts jx-rsist, Jet those who hold them take heart: I.very day is a fresh beginning; I as ten my 9( ,i1l t „ k1 . 1( , rofr . lln An<l in spite of old sorrow and older sinning. And puzzles forecasted and possible pain, T;: ■ he .rt with the day and begin again. We ex-servicemen have a part to play. »\ ar and increasing years rnav have taKen their toll. Nevertheless, there is a job to do; a task we cannot and will not shirk. Those of us more or less lit will find a place in tho forefront of active operations, those less so behind tho lines. As every ex-serviceman knows, on activity behind the lines de-

pends much on the success in front. Behind the lines for many of us is here in Xew Zealand. With the wealth of our war, -and no less important, our post-war experience behind ue, there is much we can do. We can give courage and advice to the younger men now about to set out to gain experience, perhaps, of war for themselves; we can do much for them that we in our day could not obtain. If the young men* must leave our shores—as well they may—let us-who stay behind send tliein away with the promise that their return will be looked for and their future secure; and this promise, determination, sincere and not made with any of the hysteria so easily infectious in war time. There can l>e no doubt as to the result of united effort. The clay is again to go on the potter's wheel. By consolidation and co-operation—and the greater of these two is co-operation—we can all do much to create the new design that will be the world of the future. A vessel designed on the harsh lines of world domination by one I'ower is not the sort to be chosen by ]>eoples who prefer one with the flowing lines of mutual trust and goodwill and freedom; freedom to think, act and live according to their own philosophy. In producing this desirable object we may suffer; we may have to give way at times; we may have to discard certain ingredients that some might like to again add. With quiet courage, cooperation and determination, we can create anew, of greater beauty, a vessel worthy of the effort. "Stand to—everywhere!"