SPEEDING HOME DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 39, 15 February 1941, Page 10

SPEEDING HOME DEFENCE

The immediate local effect of warnings of the grave overseas situation is to direct public attention to home defence preparations. The people of New Zealand, like ■ the people of Australia, have been jolted into realisation of what war may mean. Such realisation is all to the good if it takes a practical form. Noel Coward's opinion, given with diffidence because of his limited opportunity for observation, was that the leaders of the armed forces were fully aware of war dangers, but the public could do with some gingering up. That is, in the main, correct.' All credit must be given to those who have joined in Home Guard and E.P.S. activities, but it is undeniable that many thousands, among them many of the most eligible, have been deaf to the call. They have been inclined to treat the organisation as "playing at soldiers," and not to give it their active support. The first result with such people of the jolt into reality should be to cause them to examine their own attitude, jit is no use blaming the authorities for not having done this or that. Up to a certain point the authorities can plan, but beyond that point cannot go unless they have an enrolled body of men to fit in the plan. There is need for more men in home defence. Mr. Semple and numerous local leaders have been emphasising that and recruiting with all the power at their command. When that need is remedied organisation and training can go forward more rapidly.