WHAT WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 105, 27 January 1940, Page 10

WHAT WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE

Complications which have arisen in recent clays as the result of the Allies’ blockade of Germany and the search for contraband forwarded from neutral countries serve to indicate the difficulties as well as the dangers of the existing situation. Happily, the stramec feeling which looked like developing over the inspection of United States’ mails seems to be smoothing out as the actual facts come to light, and difficulties with other neutral nations, such as that arising out of the seizure of Germans of military age travelling on ncutial ships, have proved possible of satisfactory explanation. It is evident, however, that at any time developments may take place, such as the threatened action in the Balkans, which may fuither spread tie range of conflict, and add to the burdens thrown on Britain and her Allies. . . . ■ ' In the conditions which prevail it becomes more urgently necessary than ever that the efforts of this Dominion should be acceleiated both in the matter of recruiting for the military forces and in the development and conservation of the country’s resources. There is a tendency in some quarters to take a quite mistaken view of this Dominion’s obligations. The remark is frequently heard, for instance, that it is the duty of New Zealand to assist the Mother Country in the present struggle. This is true enough in one sense, but it does not fully or correctly represent the position. Ihe call to the people of this Dominion is something more than one to render assistance to the Mother Country and her Allies. We are fighting for our own protection—our own future welfare —for it is idle to ignore the fact that if Britain tell in this struggle we should fall with her. This fact should be kept in the forefront of our thoughts. There are too many who appear to hold the view that our remoteness fiom the present centre of conflict renders us immune to the consequences of the final outcome. Nothing could be further from the truth. Britain today is bearing the first and the main brunt of the conflict and with a fuller realization of the magnitude of the task to ue accomplished her people are making sacrifices which today wo heie are shirking. All classes and groups in the Mother Country have a recognized the necessity for the introduction of compulsory service. Voluntary service was inadequate to meet the urgency of the occasion and it is proving inadequate here. I his fact will have to be laced ei e long and the sooner this is officially admitted the greater its value, will be. And when it is faced we should be fortified and strengthened with the knowledge clearly before us that we are not lighting only to assist the Mother Country but for our own self-preservation as a free people.