The Dominion SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1940. THE PRIME MINISTER’S WARNING

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 27, 26 October 1940, Page 10

The Dominion SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1940. THE PRIME MINISTER’S WARNING

In his effort to rouse the New Zealand people to exert.the utmost energies and accept the fullest sacrifices against all poss bk emergencies, the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, uttered in a speech at Christchurch words of warning that should make one and all ponder very seriously and deeply. Do not let us imagine (be said) that danger is not facing us. It is, because in one night, one hour, things may change, and place us in danger. It is not difficult to read between the lines. As the 1 rime Minister remarked, those who have followed the trend of events through newspaper reports, radio broadcasts, and their own reading of cm lent literature, must by this time have realized that, to quote his own words, “the tide of war is rolling up near our own I he tide may recede. It is to be devoutly hoped that it will. But our pre natations must be built up on possibilities, not on hopes that these may not materialise. .We must take the situation as it stands, face its implications, and take our measures accordingly. Wc have to ask ourselves whether, in every aspect ot our war effort, the measures already taken and the degree of progress made, are commensurate with the urgency of the case. Have we enou & L men in training for home defence? Is it possible for the training t be speeded up? Is our equipment adequate? If not, m what way can this be offset? On the moral side, is the need for much greatei sacrifices on the part of groups, sectional organizations and individuals sufficiently appreciated? Consider, for instance, the large number of appeals coming forward as tjie result of the service ballot, and how evident it is that so many people cannot distinguish between mere inconvenience and real hardship. When a country is at war its citizens must learn to accept inconvenience as the east ot their troubles, and prepare for hardships as something which war inevitably brings in its train. They must learn to do with less in order that the Government may do more in the way of defence measures. They must realize that a peacetime standard of living is impossible in wartime, and that for their political leaders to assert the contrary is not heroic paternalism, but stupid nonsense. _ These are some of the questions, among others,_ which every citizen capable of grasping the implications of the Prime Minister s warning, should be reflecting upon. If such a change in the situation took place as Mr. Fraser so gravely indicated might develop m one night, in one hour,” it might be some time before, if ever, we felt its most serious impacts. Our remoteness is an advantage, but it is by no means an insurance. Nothing, no effort or sacrifice fairlj demanded, should be shirked because of hopeful assumptions that we can rest confident on continued immunity. This is a war of swift and dangerous changes, and we must arm ourselves, morally an materially, for all possible contingencies. It is to be hoped that the Prime Minister will realize that in the public reaction which is certain to follow his warning utterance there will be an opportunity for the Government to set an example and to give a bold and resolute lead. It need have no fear that the people will fail to respond.