The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1940. RIGOURS OF WARFARE.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1940, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1940. RIGOURS OF WARFARE.

The progress of the war indicates how severe Dir fighting can he. Still, it is not more serious than a deliberate bombardment. Blit the fact that aerial warfare can be more widespread, and numerous points of attack can be* made simultaneously, with special attention to congested areas, makes this newest phase of modern warfare more spectacular. In the 'present case, also, the full details come from one side only. That side, our own, makes the experiences more acute. Still, we know with our faithful air force, daily and nightly visiting enemy territory, that in that quarter, also, the devastation must be very great. In the case' of London, many familiar places, streets, or localities are mentioned daily in the regular toll of disaster. But as some compensation, we have the splendid spirit of the people who are bearing the brunt of. the battle oil Britain, which is in essence, the battle of the Empire. From all sides, and from Royalty downwards to the humblest of the people in the quarter where the widest damage has been done, there is a readiness to face the sacrifice imposed, that the enemy may be defied and denied his aim to conquer the nation. The tragic happenings nightly, and the ordeal of suffering, are borne with splendid spirit, and the resolve to win through. In this' great combat, the British nation is standing up true to,tradition. In the succession of disasters which fell on the Allies as neutral countries were overrun, and our strongest Ally driven to surrender, Britain met the co n sequences of the early triumphs of the enemy with resolute courage. From Dunkirk, from Norway, armies were extricated, as their essential supports were lost, to reform again, .and fight on on British soil. All the time the peoole of Britain stfove to provide equipment and supplies for the troops, and to see tli'in accoutred and ready as quickly as possible, once more to take the field. The leadeiship of the nation, throughout, it all, has been and is superb. In the Prime Minister there is a leader who has the confidence of the nation, and with him are coworkers united in all zeal to support the firm stand Mr Churchill lias taken. Mr Churchill is a. man of wide experience and a full knowledge of war and , its consequences. But he has a fund of zeal and the proud ambition to succeed. This has inspired those about him, and the unity has captured the imagination of all, and so .the nation follows with a set determination. The. rigours of the war seem only to harden that resolve, and all sections of a very diversified community co-operate freely and in the best of heart. The main feature of the war is centred on Britain, though there is talk of a diversion in the Middle East. For that, preparations have been made betimes, and in that quarter also, there' is the readiness to resist determinedly. The whole British nation is roused as never before, and in such alertness there it reason to hope for the best as the eventual outcome.