Lake Waktip Mail QUEENSTOWN, THURSDAY MAR, 5 1942 BURMA’S IMPORTANCE

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4555, 5 March 1942, Page 2

Lake Waktip Mail QUEENSTOWN, THURSDAY MAR, 5 1942 BURMA’S IMPORTANCE

BURMA is occupying an important place in the war news, and the situation is becoming serious, if not critical. The only redeeming feature, is that in this theatre the Japanese have suffered very heavy air losses. Burma is important as a life-line to China, and also as a base from which the Allies may launch land and air offensives against the, Japanese flank. Following on the recent despatch of Chinese troops to Burma—with the promise of more if required—came news of an agreement whereby the Chinese Generalissimo relinguished for use by British troops in Burma a proportion of American war material intended for China. Despite this, however, and the success of British and American fliers, the Japanese are making considerable progress in their attack on the country. One of the, most surprising features of Japanese aggression has been the, ability of the enemy’s land and air forces to conduct three major offensives simultaneously, one against Malaya, the second against the Dutch East Indies, and the, third against Burma. The last-named is the one theatre of engagements to which British reinforcements, particularly lighter .and bomber planes, can be sent with speed and regularity, and it is hoped a strong resistance will be continued. Singapore was regarded as the naval key to the western Pacific, but Burma is the land key to the whole, of

south-eactern Asia. T'lie Chinese are developing an offensive into Thailand from the southern Shan * States, particularly for the pur-| I pose, of retaining the use of routes j |of supply through Burma to | China. In place of the Burma I [ Road it is encouraging to learn • that a new route, running direct j from India into China, is now available with an even greater " capacity than the famous road. , The first news of such a move j leaked out with a British Agency ■ report that hundreds of thousands jof coolies, women, and children j were working on the building of a new route in order to maintain the influx of supplies if the Burma Road was cut. It is this superb courage and determination which has enabled the Chinese to hold out for five years against the Japanese and which will ultimately bring them victory over the aggressor.

The members of the Lake County Council visited the Wanaka district last week-end and obtained first-hand information of several of the more immediate requirements of the settlors. A long motor ride was made through Mr Willis Scaife’s run over a road which in some parts was fairly rough. The objective was the Matatapu stream where a now stock bridge was required to replace one recently carried away by flood water. The request for the bridge was made by Dr Aitken, whose shearing sheds are situated on the opposite side of the river, an outpost of Glencoe station. Returning to the main road, the councillors made an inspection of other undertakings outlined by the inspector. Some time was spent at Carmel creek on the Cattle Flat-Mt. Aspiring road, where Air J. C. Scott was making preparation for a start on a structure to bridge this stream —part of the council’s bridging programme. On the return journey a halt was made at Cr Aubrey’s beautiful homestead where the councillors were the guests of Mr and Mrs Aubrey for lunch. After a very pleasant sojourn the ears returned to Wanaka in /time for dinner. In the evening the i councillors discussed the Town Planning question with the residents of Wanaka. Report of this appears elsewhere.

During his visit to Wanaka on Friday last Air D. H. Cockburn, chairman of the Lake Zone Patriotic Committee, met the Wanaka Patriotic Sub-Com-mittee and outlined the aims and objects of the All-Purposes appeal. Mr W. Scaife, chairman of the Wanaka sub-committee, welcomed the Lake Zone “representatives. Air Cockburn complimented the Wanaka committee on its past efforts. He regretted to say that there would be many more calls on the people. The present appeal was for £3OOO, of which Wanaka people were asked to raise £750. This money had to be in hand by the end of September. He asked the people not to take notice of any detrimental remarks regarding the purposes for which the money was being raised. The appeal embraced many worthy objects. Air Cockburn suggested that the best way of raising the money was by a systematic canvass of the whole district, In answering a question regarding the rehabilitation of local returned men, Air Cockburn said that any case should bo reported to the Zone committee and in turn they will be referred to the Provincial executive. Air Scaife assured the chairman of the Lakes Zone committee that the Wanaka people would do their utmost to raise their quota. It was announced on Saturday last that an allowance of petrol would be made available for private cars during Alarch. Coupon No. 11 was redeemable on Alonday last and if the petrol reserves are in a satisfactory position at the middle of the month coupon Ho. 12 will be made available for the balance of the month.

Notice is given by advertisement elsewhere that lighting restrictions will come into force in Queenstown as from Sunday, 21st March at sunset. Residents are particularly requested to conform to the regulations set out. The Nursing Division of St. John Ambulance will commence a class in Alackcnzie Hall on Monday next at 8 p.m, Heavy rain fell at the week-end and on Sunday night, accompanied by a good coating of snow on the mountains. Harvesting was somewhat hampered. However brighter conditions now prevail.

During their tour of the Wanaka district the members of the Lake Comity Council made an inspection of the Glendhu camping ground improvements. They consist of a line recreation room 15 by 50 feet and a sanitary block for both sexes. The former provides ample space for the campers to unpack their baggage and will be used as a common meeting place for visitors and for games, etc. The sanitation block embraces ample lavatory accommodation and, in adition, there are separate sets of showers for both sexes, wash basins and other modern conveniences. Those improvements are situated in the middle of the camping ground and are quite close to a springfed creek and the bay. The situation of the camping ground is ideal and when the present unrest in the world is over, the camp will become increasingly popular. The council deserves well for its enterprise. “Hundreds of New Zealanders in glj walks of life are apparently prepared to act as honorary enemy agents.' ’ This statement was made recently by an official connected with the censorship of mails and commercial cablegrams in the Dominion. In any one day, the official said, it was possible to glean from letters posted in New Zealand information which, if it were to fall into the hands of the , enemy, would endanger valuable cargoes and indefinitely more valuable lives.