New Zealand’s War Efforts

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 68, 13 December 1939, Page 13

New Zealand’s War Efforts

Sir, —Thoughtful utterances by public men at Home and in this country during the last few days should make us all realize, and the quicker the better, that this war is going to last more than three years. How much more it is quite impossible to predict at the moment. The British Government therefore acted wisely when they made all iheir arrangements on a basis of at least a three years’ war. For, starting on that footing, it will be easy to carry on the system smoothly for a longer period.

It: would be wise for us here in New Zealand to realize without delay that before peace arrives we shall have to semi to Europe even more men than we sent in the last war, unless New Zealand is to become a Nazi country, ami it would be well for our Government in particular to wake up. People are becoming restless and irritated at the Government’s continued efforts to carry out their peacetime programme of socialization in war time at the expense of our war efforts. What is wanted, and now, is the making of a national register and then conscription. At present New Zealand is making less serious efforts than any other Dominion, and the idea of our lagging behind the others is not pleasant.

The Government should remember that though, normally, a general election is not due for two years, public opinion can force one on a good deal sooner. Once a public movement in this direction is started it will spread with great rapidity. The country is only waiting for a lead, and his Excellency has a constitutional right and duty to take notice of it, regardless of his present advisers. —I am, etc., VETERAN.