TO KEEP WHAT WE VALUE
It has been claimed that New Zealand has an average standard of living and comfort higher than that of any other country. That claim alone is the only argument needed to show that adequate defence is not only a patriotic duty, but sound common sense. Of what use is it to make the country richer and more desirable if we have not the strength to retain it? Defence, then, is not a task to be undertaken when everything else is done, and only if we have leisure and money after meeting all other needs of business or pleasure. It should come first. In the past we have enjoyed security under the wing of Great Britain; but it has been made quite plain in recent days that Great Britain is burdened with her protective duties at Home. More and more we must be ready to provide for our own defence. This is a public question of greatest and most urgent importance. The New Zealand Defence League is trying to awaken the public to a realisation of that fact. The aim is to assist and support the Government in its defence preparations, not to embarrass it, for the Defence League is not a party organisation. A public opinion, aware of the 'dangers and the urgent need for guarding against them, must be created. This is necessary, first to convince the Government that the people desire and will be ready to meet 'the cost of sound defence, and next to assure the efficient operation of the defence, system. Public support and co-opera-tion are especially needed for the second reason. A voluntary system of defence, no matter how much the Government may be prepared to spend, cannot be a success unless it has public support. If everybody stands by and leaves it to somebody else the.sysKm will be a terrible failure. We do not think that the people are/so careless of their duty and interest as to let this happen. They can give convincing proof to the contrary by at least attending the meeting organised by. the Defence League to be held in the Town Hall tomorrow night.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1938, Page 10
Word Count
359TO KEEP WHAT WE VALUE Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1938, Page 10
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