GRAVITY OF WAR SITUATION

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23586, 13 March 1942, Page 4

GRAVITY OF WAR SITUATION

♦ NEED TO MUSTER ALL RESOURCES PEOPLE’S DUTY TO HOLD ON (P.A.) WHANGAREI, March 12. The Governor-General (Sir Cyril Newall) and Lady Newall received a hearty welcome from a large crowd when they made their first visit to Whangarei to-day. Replying to addresses of welcome from the town, the county, and the. Maori people, Sir Cyril'Newall said it would be criminal as well as foolish to pretend that the war situation was anything but extremely grave. “The moment has indeed come when we must all of us, men, women, and children alike, muster all our resources and offer them willingly in the common cause,” continued the GovernorGeneral. “If we do this and do it with a good heart and do it now, we have no reason to fear the ultimate outcome of the war. It is only a ques--tion of time before the Empire, opr allies, and our friends can mobilise our full resources, and be able to attack the enemy with a force far too strong for him to stand up to. Until that time it is our duty to hold on. “Every civilian in the land has a vital part to play in the struggle. It is essential that we should all be prepared to do what is required of us and do it cheerfully. If the enemy dares to set foot upon our sacred soil, we must stand up to him and attack him with every weapon at our command. We must prepare our minds as well as our bodies for the conflict. “It is our duty to keep morale high and our determination unassailable. This will be helped by , refusing to listen to rumour or ill-informed criticism.’’