WHICH ATTITUDE?

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 101, 29 March 1939, Page 14

WHICH ATTITUDE?

There arc but three attitudes that can he taken towards the vital question of the defence of New Zealand—pacifism, presumption, or preparation. Take pacifism. What happened to so worthy and desirable a cause ? The gangster methods of the dictators ruled it out as a practical proposition. Peace was a laudable ideal and for some years was fairly widely supported, but sacrificing home and country, justice and freedom, was felt to be too high a price to pay, and pacifism to-day, against the stark realities, is viewed as quite an impracticable attitude by all but a small section who still tenaciously and loyally cling to their ideal. Presumption is the next attitude, and it has the largest following. Whereas the pacifist has a high principle to stand on. the pmsurnptionist is the victim of conceit and indifference; he leans against any frail reed so long as his present case and comfort arc not disturbed. Warfare to-day more than ever demands previous technical training and physical fitness, but the jingo save, “When the hugle sounds we’ll he there.” It is foolish to prate about the survival of the fittest, and refuse to pet fit ! Indignation would he widespread if the All Blacks did not seriously and strenuously train to uphold New Zealand s Rugby traditions, yet. no interest is evinced and no preparatory steps taken to defend one’s native land. Another prop leant against is “America is bound to come in,” and finally, if pushed, ostrich-like many say. “New Zealand is 100 far a wav to he attacked.” This attitude of indifference to national claims and needs, it is feared affects. many of our people in addition to a section of our young men. # ... Preparation. This is the remaining attitude. No nation is safe to-day. and adequate defence preparation is hut each citizen’s hounden duty. Put what preparation have we? Some 9000 volunteers whose efforts we fully appreciate, hut last year’s records show the training is scrapnv and incemnlctc —nnly 45 per rent, of this insufficient force ’vent to ramp, and only 25 ner cent, took their camp and other trainTf another conflict comes, all sections will have to make sacrifices hut New Zealand can and must » = a first-line have mannower nf some 30.090 men with correspondinn- reserves. Th : s is quite possible, for in IPI4 our iprritnrials nmnhered over 27.000. Ton w. Pcrrv. M.L.H.. is speaking on this vital national question on Thnrsdnv. He is a comnelerit and eloquent antho—tv nod lh. Oopra House should he well filled. The Mnvor will preside. TV meeting rommenees at 8 p.m., and there is no charge for admission.