The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES" GISBORNE, MONDAY. DEC. 15, 1941. PACIFIC WAR AND N.Z.

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20639, 15 December 1941, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES" GISBORNE, MONDAY. DEC. 15, 1941. PACIFIC WAR AND N.Z.

At the end of the first week of war in the Pacific the situation remains confused and uncertain, except, perhaps, that the tactics of the Japanese have become somewhat more apparent. In lieu of a formal declaration of war, Japan launched a thorough and determined attack on all American outposts in the Pacific. Now she seems more or less to have withdrawn her scattered forces and to be concentrating on the lines which the southward drive was expected to take. Apart from the perfidious nature of her attack, there can be no question that it was well conceived and almost brilliantly executed. The full extent of the advantages Japan reaped has yet to be disclosed. There is no doubt that they were considerable, but there are some indications that they were not so great as was at first suggested or as might, in the circumstances, have been expected. Certainly America was caught off her guard and suffered accordingly, but there will be some compensation, at least, for the penalty she has paid for her unpreparedness. Outstanding is the fact that the treacherous nature of the Japanese attack has done more than anything else could have done to make Americans drop all their domestic differences and present a strongly united front to the enemy. The results of this national unity will be manifested in due course. It is too soon yet to attempt to appraise the effects of such fighting as has taken place. Britain has suffered heavily at sea by the loss of the Prince of Wales and the Repulse, but the Japanese have not by any means escaped unscathed. However, if the American naval losses are taken into account, it seems likely that the balance of naval power has shifted temporarily to the Japanese. The Japanese have lost heavily in the air, where they are already weakest, and this may yet prove to be a vital factor. It is not possible to secure a clear picture of the fighting on land. The main Japanese attacks appear to be directed against Hong Kong, the Philippines and Malaya. They have made some gains at each point, but in aone does the progress seem to be consistent with the undoubted advantage the invaders secured through the surprise nature of their attack. In the Philippines and Malaya landings have been made, but the Japanese pre being as well held as could be expected. Some advance has also been made against Hong Kong, but here the Japanese are clearly threatened by the Chinese attacks on their rear and flank. It is much too early to venture predictions as to future developments, but there is ground for satisfaction that the opening of the campaign has not had more serious results for the Allies.

Some indications have already been given of the measures to be adopted by the New Zealand Government to meet the new and much more serious situation that has arisen. There is still a feeling, however, that the Government’s policy lacks precision and direction. Theoretically, of course, a complete system of defence measures should have been ready to enforce from the first moment, but it is never easy to translate theories of this sort into practice. At the same time there is reason to complain that the Government did not act more promptly. This view is supported, in particular, by the experience in the control of petrol. Although everyone knew that there would have to be the most drastic restrictions, valuable time was lost last Monday before action was taken, with the result that unpatriotic individuals were enabled to lay in substantial supplies. Then, for the rest of the week, motorists were able to use coupons to secure petrol for pleasure purposes. There is the same lack of official initiative in regard to the steps to be taken to deal with any actual threat of attack. Some centres have taken their own precautions, and cannot be blamed for doing so, but surely it was not too much to expect that the Government should have had detailed plans ready to operate at a moment’s notice. In the industrial sphere there has still been no precise action. People have been asked to forgo their holidays, it is true, but there is no indication of how it is planned to make use of the additional man-power that will thus be available. In industry, civil defence and emergency services there is vast ' scope for activity. There is an almost unlimited amount of energy waiting to be mobilised, but again there is the same lack of direction. Most of what has been done has been left to publicspirited volunteers whereas here, as in other directions, it should be an all-in effort with compulsory powers to support it. The more the question is examined the more does it emerge that much of the difficulty in the Dominion springs from the absence of political unity. It is obvious that at such a time there is no room for party politics but that, on the contrary, all efforts should be pooled in the common cause and for the common good. That this is the view of the people was clearly shown in the Bay of Plenty by-election on Saturday which resulted, far less in a victory for the National Party, than in an expression of opinion in support of a National Government. The lead in all things at this time should come from Ijhe Government, and if the Government will give that lead the public will not be slow to respond.