The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1941. WARNING INDICATIONS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 118, 12 February 1941, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1941. WARNING INDICATIONS

New Zealand people will be well advised to take serious note of the various indications during the past few days of impending developments in the war situation which may make tlie utmost demands upon their resources, their energies, and their services to. the nation. This applies to all classes, but particularly to those sections of the communitv which have displayed a manifest reluctance to pull thenfull weight in the war effort, and then only at a price involving an extra strain on our essential industries. Mr. Churchill’s great speech was more than a survey of achievement; it conveyed also a warning of increasing dangers and stress from which no part of the Ernpite could consider itself immune. His reference to the danger of Britain being invaded implies the possibility of extraordinary demands, upon the resources and tonnage of the Navy for the defence. of the island kingdom; such a development would have a certain effect upon our own economy which it would be imprudent to minimize. Mr. Churchill also uttered a warning about the possibilities in the Balkans. Today’s news shows very clearly what he meant. Here again we have to reflect upon the implications of a heavy enemy onset in this region. It may mean an extra demand upon India, Australia, and New Zealand, for the reinforcement of men and supplies. Further, the outlook in the Far East, according to the latest news, gives no warrant for complacency. Up till a few days ago the Australian people, like those in this country, were over-inclined to under-estimate the the dangers of the war situation. Theii. Government had experienced considerable difficulties with the industrial unions, and in the solving of them received little support from the Labour Opposition Party in Parliament. But the attitude of that partv has now changed completely as the result, it is reported, of the decision of the Acting-Prime Minister, Mr. Fadden, to take the Advisory War Council into the full confidence of the Government. These disclosures, it is stated, produced such an impression on the Labour members of the Council that they left the meeting convinced that the gravity of the position was such that not only air and naval, but psychological, preparation was necessary on the home front. The moral has a direct application to this country. We are shortly to have a visit from an Australian military and economic delegation to discuss measures for effective co-operation. It is the second meeting of the kind, and the event is significant enough. We are entering upon what may be the most critical stage of the war, and there will be no room for half-hearted measures, or kid-glove treatment by the Government of recalcitrant elements.