CLOSE THE RANKS.

Evening Star, Issue 23862, 17 April 1941, Page 9

CLOSE THE RANKS.

TO TH» EDITOR. Sir,—Now that Japan has come out into the open and. made it'known that she is on the side of Hitler and his merciless slaughterers, the question may be asked bow do we stand for adequate defence against bombs, guns, and bayonets of an enemy who may make this country a theatre of war. Aro we preparing for the great battle, by bringing out our popguns and peashooters to engage in the approaching thoughtless battle of fighting and traducing one another to secure positions with bubble reputations on the City Council, Harbour and Hospital Boards? Furthermore, will the personal sniping by letterwriters which excites ill-feelmg help us to find adequate safety against invasion? Only ah obtuse man with no more brains than a stupid ostrich will approve of .such a childish and irresponsible stale of things. Ordinary horse-sense should tell all of us that the curtain should be wrung down on all loral public or personal quarrelling. Above all and beyond all the alarm bell should ring in every workshop, factory, office, business, shop, or bank (1) calling upon every employer, manager, head of a department, and wage earner to go and .. . enrol as a member of the Home Guard. : provided he has not been previously{ dejj dared by a board of medical men t<x bo unfit to.go overseas: (21 to call'others,'in- <! eluding all M.P.s in New Zealand, to go • and do their little bit by joining and working on the patriotic councils, whose members are few and are unselfishly bearing a {' burden of, war service. .What a senseless ; and silly spectacle it is to see at the present disquieting time local election skirmishing and individual quarrelling about public positions.. It does not say much for the intelligence, common sense, or character of those who annarnnl ly are more concerned about such fighting than the terrors of the Great War.—l am, etc., . Wake Up. April 17.