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Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1940, Page 4

out a special display of public fervour. It is apparent as the • war progresses, its dimensions and possibilities are being more fully realised at this distant outpost from the majur operations. All public s'atemeuts ten! to show both the magnitude and the seriousness of the conflict, together with the, inclusion ol : all parts of the British Empire and its Allies, in. the final outcome. The people are taking the situation more seriously, and realising their obligations. Very soon the Third Echelon will he called into camp, and it is satisfactory to find recruiting proceeding steadily and promisingly. New Zealand is pledged to play its part in this conflict, but as yet the full measure of the part it has to fill is not clear. In the sea and in the air, New Zealanders have been making a name for themselves, showing the sturdy quality of the material, 110 less effective than that of previous wars. The army section has to w : n its spurs, but in the preliminaries the First Echelon has won high praise in its final training, and there is promise that lai'.l 'the best tradition') created by he -Inzacs will he fulfilled. Now the Second Echelon is to depart, and in due course the third. Thereafter reinforcements will be required, and it will be no less escntiH tc fill those needs, than send off the main body. The men apparentlv are at call in tlic Middle Ea't, which has been threatened, and it is not too much to surmise that the presence of a strong Allied force in the region of the danger zone, has had its effect on the course of events in that part of the world. In that case prevention is better than cure, and splendid service is given by those who only stand and wait. But there w : ll sooner or later he much serious work in other quarters, if the threat in the Middle East passes. The war has taken an unexpected turn, and the immediate confl’ct in Norway is vita-1 to the contending armies. Jt is only in its preliminary stages but with both sides strengthening forces and equipment, a. clash with possible f’rre~obing efforts is not unlikely. The need for New Zealand to cont’nue its effort remains a paramount duty to the Empire and ourselves, and the need for more men continues to be very urgent.