DOMINION ALERT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20649, 27 December 1941, Page 7

DOMINION ALERT

THE DEFENCE FORCES AIR FLIGHTS MADE Describing the Royal New Zealano Air Force as tbe "eyes of the Dominion,” the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, has disclosed that an air reconnaissance is carried out each day in strategic areas around New Zealand and also in Fiji. The force, he added, is more powerfully equipped than ever before, and has constantly been on a mobilised basis, while the navy has always kept a ceaseless watch. The Minister said additional men had been called up for home defence since the outbreak of war in the Pacific, and the resDonse had been excellent. Many of the men had fought in the Great War. Apart from the National Military Reserve and the Territorials, Mr. Jones said that over 150,000 civilians, including 30,000 women, had enrolled for home defence duties. It was a magnificent record. “The watchword for the nation at the moment is preparation without panic,” continued the Minister. No one could predict with any valid claim to accuracy if or when the Japanese would come this way. The distance was great, and the Japanese knew that they would get a hot reception at the end of their journey. At the same time there was nothing to say that the enemy would not come this way. The Dominion, was in the war zone. Everyone must be fully prepared and alert, but there was no cause for alarm.