“Warnings”

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 119, 13 February 1941, Page 9

“Warnings”

Sir, —I should like to congratulate you on your leading article in today’s issue. Mr. Churchill’s warning should be taken seriously here. Last Saturday you reported a speech by Mr. Coates in Christchurch. He also issued a warning which should be listened to and taken seriously. A repetition of part of that speech is worth while. Mr. Coates asked: “Can normal politics play a part in the hour of national crisis? I doubt it. I think our politics today are wrapped up in self-preserva-tion. whether we are fighting our battles overseas or here. Nobody today can promise anything for the future. It is nonsensical to say you are going to improve this and that. Bright prophecies, and all that, are not worth a snap of the finger. Conditions are entirely abnormal for normal politics and as we face them so we shall reap the reward. . . . We now want the goods and material turned out at the fastest possible rate. We should say: ‘lf we get through this struggle you can go back to the old conditions and 'we will fight it out on the old grounds.’ In the meantime the greatest effort is required.”—l am, etc., AJAX. Wellington, February 12, 1941.