N.Z.’s PERIL

Franklin Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 44, 20 April 1942, Page 3

N.Z.’s PERIL

EFFORT TO ROUSE COMMUNITY

FARMERS TAKE THE LEAD

National defence was 5 the principal subject under consideration at the March meeting of the Auckland Farmers’ Union. At the close of a lengthy and animated discussion it was agreed that the farmers of the Province should take a lead in awakening the community from its present condition of apathy and helplessness, with the ultimate object of forcing upon the Government the need for urgent action to mobilise the whole of the national resources of man-power and materials.

The subject was introduced by the president, Captain H. M. Rushworth, who stated that during the course of the last meeting of the Dominion Executive in Wellington a deputation from that body had waited upon the Prime Minister and the other members of the War Cabinet. There were also ir attendance the heads of the lighting services. ■ The deputation had placed before the Cabinet the considered views of the Executive, which included the suggestion that, as an alternative to the best solution, a truly National Government, there should be a strengthened ' War Cabinet, with wider powers, including the control of all phases of the country’s activities impinging on the war effort. This should be done by the introduction into the War Cabinet of men of proved energy and administrative ability, regardless of political considerations and, if necessary, outside politics. At the chairman’s request Mr A. C. A. Sexton reported on this conference, where he had, in association with Mr A. Briscoe Moore, represented the Auckland Union. What was needed at the present time, Mr Sexton said, was discipline of the whole community so that each member, male or female, would realise that we were under war conditions and would act accordingly. He believed the people could be armed if the full resources of the country were properly organised and utilised. Numbers counted as well as equipment, for we had to recognise that these enemies w r ere thoroughly equipped and were veteran fighters. Our Home Guard forces should be tremendously increased: and urgent steps should be taken to manufacture and supply equipment. The meeting at. the town hall the previous night, he asserted, was no credit to Auckland, the attendance being 1500 from a population of 250,000. “The speeches,” continued Mr Sexton, “were mostly soothing syrup.”

Japanese May Try To Land

r fhe chairman said an attack by the enemy would take one of two forms — an air raid, or an invasion in force. To him either seemed improbable, but in war it was the improbable that happened. His view w : as that the Japanese object in coming to New Zealand would be to deny our ports to the American navy.

What Happened in Hong Kong

He felt sure that our people did not realise the significance of the situation until quite recently, when reports came by cable of the atrocities in Hong Kong. Since then the indifference that had been apparent on the countenances of our women folk had been varied by occasional anxiety, and with it had come a rising tide of anger. Any suggestion of futility was fatal. Failure by New Zealanders in the event of an attack did not simply mean giving in and the loss of savings and property. It meant the loss of all we had, even of life itself, possibly. The question each man and woman had now to consider was whether we should send our representatives to the wharf to meet the enemy with a white flag, or fight to the death, or apply half-measures —tickling the bull with a pea-shooters? Half measures, he declared, would be absolutely fatal. We did not know the whole facts behind the direction of the Dominion’s war effort, but judging by what we did know, the result was discouraging to say the least. Needs of the Home Guard

Home Guard units, even with equipment which at present was lacking, were useless as a military factor without supporting services such as supplies, signalling, stretcher bearers, etc. For to ask them to face an enemy under other conditions was simply to invite mass murder. “Now, what are we going to do about it?” asked the President in conclusion. “Gan we sit down helpless ? Can we se'hd to the Government with any confidence that it will do what is necessary? Or shall we urge upon the Government the inclusion in the War Cabinet of men who have persistence, vision, energy and organising ability? They won’t be found in Parliament. Anything is preferable to the present apathy and helplessness. The Shelter and Food Complex Mr J. LI. Furniss said that it seemed evident’that the farmers of the Auckland Province would have to move and give the country a lead. In Auckland city it seemed to him that the people were more concerned in building shelters and packing food supplies than in preparing to face an enemy. Mr Heath Mason spoke of the excellent work done by the Home Guard in the Te Kuiti area. The Maoris, he said, were very skilful in guerilla w-ork. In a poor area, the Waitomo district, £250 had been raised to help the Home Guard’s activities. He wvas satisfied that the right spirit was latent in New' Zealand. It only needed to be awakened by effective leadership. Mr Furniss said they should take steps to organise a real war meeting in Auckland, and arrange for special trains from the Waikato so that the farmers from that area would be able to assist in the demonstration. . Lie would certainly come, even if his cows w*ent unmilked for once. He certainlv did not want to find later that he’had been milking his cow's to provide milk for the Japanese. He moved that such a meeting be held. Mr Glasgow agreed as to the gravity of the situation, but questioned the utility of the remedies suggested. In this, as in the past wars, all the best

generals were left at home. e and the same remarks applied to other countries —had no confidence in anybody. Some mistakes were inevitable. He thought the present War Cabinet was large enough. lie questioned the wisdom of the Union taking up purely military questions. There were plenty oi' opportunities for its assistance on the economic front. Mr V. Simms said he had no faith in meetings. What they wanted was action. llow much money could we find to establish a factory to make trench mortars?

Mr Blade, while doubting the efficiency of public meetings, said the masses wanted leadership, and the women wanted protection. Most people at present had bread-and-butter ar.d silk-stocking minds. Mr K. S. Cox: Leadership might emerge from a public meeting.

Mr E. Palliser considered there was more urge to fight in the country than in the towns. Should they not organise meetings in the country as well as in Auckland? “The farmers,” he added, “will have to carry the towns. They have done it before, and must do if again.” Following subsequent discussion an amendment was moved by Mr Blade that a fresh deputation be appointed to wait upon the Prime Minister with concrete proposals. This was lost, and after a further amendment had also been lost, Mr Furniss’ motion was carried, the president and Mr Sexton being asked to organise the meeting.