CASUAL COMMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1940, Page 6

CASUAL COMMENT

AND SOME OBSERVATIONS

(By Observer)

Readers, who by accident or design, witnessed tlie feature programme at a local cinema last week-end, bad the opportunity of having their ideas of ,the British Navy refurblished in such a way as to give greater confidence than'ever in the outcome of the war. The might of the Empire contained in the Fleet, could be visualised by the portrayal of the majesteic ships on their lawful ways. Tlie strength of tlie defence could lie realised in the substantial bulk of tlie great ships and their bursting gun turrets. A glimpse of their equipment, aiid it was possible to realise how accurate gunnery could have made such short work of the French ships at Gran ten days ago. The weighty discharge finding its target, would, and indeed did its work quickly. The Navy has been called England’s bulwark from earliest times of sea going. The possession of ships gave all probability to that thought, for their might and majesty was indisputable. The defence of the United Kingdom is surely safe when . the first line the' w ill encounter is the British Navy. Add to that the reserves of air force and land operations, and the defence should be secure. The trials and tribulations of France undey ’the' enemy heel will develop a "pew order of life for the nation. Its 'spirit' will be dimmed, and the nation >alaspiratipfts of tile people warped. France stood as one of the buLvarks of democracy. The freedom and. fraternity it enjoyed went with the burned signing of the armistice—-wl He i was hoped to' be honourable—bat dis.’lusionment has now come, (be leading men of France, prominent figures in the life of the country, have escaped as far as possible, and are now aliens in strange lands, outlawed and carrying varying sentences on their headsThe disruption of a great, powerful nation to a vassal state, under the heel of a ruthless enemy, is now in full process. The unfortunate men and women of France unable to escape the fury of the jailor, are to remain docile. France is in . a straight, jacket, till Britain can afford real relief through victory. The plight of the once comrade in arms'will be a- spur to hasten the victory, and restore a great nation once again to its useful'place in the world" which derived so much from the free spirit of France;

The wireless and the enterprise of tlie Broadcasting pcpole gave the world At large a broadcast of the Australian soldiers in camp in England. It was a cheery broadcast, with no suggestion of downheartedness. The men were all happy; and their lively remarks showed their high spirits. The many individual cheerios to “Mum” iiulfcaTed theft floinStic and fealty to those at home. In the Battle of-.Britain,"as .it is being termed already, some of the speakers have indicated their confidence in the colonial troops -mow centred' in England and Scotland, but there will be a couple of million Tommies with them —altogether a land force ample to handle the possible invaders. Add to Ahis.-the fury .of the- British : ai-r fighters, and the watchfulness of tlie British Navy, and the battle should go 'vyell, i. 'but Britain is leaving nothing to'chance, and is already placing her folk on rations of various commodities. This should stir' the people overseas to send all possible in food ships for tlie men, women and children of Great Britain in their ordeal

, The part Australia is playing in the war, will help to our big neighbour much closer to New Zealand. This Dominion will be leaning on the Commonwealth for the supply

of much in essential war material, involving not only ammunition, but also hums, trawlers and other special equipment. It is fortunate that such a tource of supply is so close to this country. Australia is organising on undreamt of lines for war defence. The response in men has been remarkable. All of the services are being filled readily, and the industries of the country are busy equipping them. The occasion is proving hoy self-contained Australia is, and its status will be raised considerably as a result of this, great demonstration of its services and reserve power. The political differences of the country are also laid to rest, and the Government has the ready support of the opposition in the task of helping to. win the. war. Mr Curtain has been very helpful in that respect, and has shown a fine patriotic spirit. The effort being made under the Lady Galway Guilds’ appeal is worthy of the ettention of those who can assist with; gifts of clothes for the refugees at Home. It is not an occasion to get rid of worn out cast offs, but to see that the .gifts are of value for the purpose intended and will he a welcome addition to the wardrobe of the unfortunate refugees driven from home and country at short notice leaving all their belongings behind. Most colonial wardrobes possess articles of apparel which would’ be acceptable to the needy, and these are the kinds of gifts to be welcomed—useful wearing apparel suitable for the coming winter. And of course, not forgetting the young children. The amount of goods which a community such as New Zealand could supply should go a Tong way in helping to fill the gap at Home, now so busy at defence matters .which leave little time for domestic work or sowing among the family circle. The lot of the folk in Britain is now. a strenuous one, and here where life is not so exciting, it is possible to. do much more to help by gifts. of good clothes which will find a ready demand.

On the industrial side of Westland, it is interesting to learn that substantia] supplies of white pine are being discovered in various parts of the district. At the County meeting this week, an odd million feet was reported in the Koiterangi district, and ten million in the Wailio district. White pine is once more in great demand, and the controlling department is using all endeavour to get it onto the market. The need for the railway south is apparent at such a time, as extra costs are . being incurred in securing supplies for the market. Westland is a natural repository for white pine now so much in demand, and time will reveal large stands of the timber as tlie present urgency lasts. The milling trade at present is very good. Although a war is on, its needs are the cause for more timber demands to equip the special training camps, while ordinary building is net only important to this district it is important to the Dominion which can draw its supples without sending overseas, as do many other countries, notably Australia.