THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1942. BONDS FOR BOMBERS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3106, 15 April 1942, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1942. BONDS FOR BOMBERS

Excellent organising had much to do with the splendid result of the Bomber Bonds campaign, but to this has to be added the new spirit in public sentiment in its sharpened awareness of the need for increased effort in furthering the cause of the war now that grave dangers have drawn appreciably nearer. It is an encouraging sign of the ability and the readiness of the New Zealand people to respond with a will to the right kind of appeal. Grim evidence of the tremendous advantage held by land and sea forces amply covered by air superiority comes in the tragic lessons of the warfare in the South-West Pacific area. We have seen, too, how the tide can be turned when superiority is on our side. The Bomber Bonds appeal has thus done an excellent service in driving home the truth that air superiority is a crucial factor in this war, and the magnificent response of the people is eloquent and practical testimony to their recognition of the fact. The organisers of the campaign have every reason to feel gratified at the result of their work, and the public, for its part, will feel greatly indebted to them for their efforts.

FLOODED SLIT TRENCHES The problem facing many householders in town and country .is not the camouflaging of their air-raid shelters by sowing grass seed on the heaped earth, but how to keep the places reasonably dry. This is a particular problem in Paeroa. A slit trench was intended to provide some shelter in a time of danger, but in very many cases had the occupants of the dwelling been called upon, during the recent rain, to “take cover? the trench would have been not even an apology for a “better ’ole.” But possibly many people, having seen the condition of their safety zone after heavy rain, will take immediate steps to effect an improvement. With the approach of winter wet weather must be expected, unless the trench is to remain a pool, instead of a place of shelter, some form of covering or adequate drainage will have to be provided. In some areas it may be found necessary to reduce the depth of the trench and build up the surrounding parapets in order to keep it as dry as possible. The wet weather has brought home to the diggers of many slit trenches the fact that the end is not yet. What is required is a trench ready for occupation at any time, and not only after bailing operations have been completed.