“BE PREPARED”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 30 January 1939, Page 5

“BE PREPARED”

liv> The Editori Sir, —It is to be sincerely hoped that there will be a large and thoroughly representative attendance at the meeting called for Tuesday evening at 8 o’clock in the School of Music for the purpose of forming a branch of the N.Z. Defence League—not merely to attend, but to intelligently consider practical methods of defence in these dark and menacing days which have overtaken us. In former upheavals certain countries and certain portions of the world only were involved. The present troubles practically cover the entire surface of the globe both east and west. It is a most vital matter that concerns each and every one of us, our future potential losses being measured by our present possessions. It is up to the business community—and all persons of substance and standing, to be in attendance on Tuesday evening. Since the startling crisis arose over five months ago, nothing of a really reassuring nature has transpired to impart confidence in a more stable order so far as international questions are concerned; rather the reverse. It is high J time we took, at all events, active pre- J liminary steps in general preparedness. 1 This vital matter should not be left for “the faithful few”. As Mr H. G. Wells observed the other day in Australia, I fear men will refuse to budge until destruction comes in on them. and stares them in the face.” No person who thinks at all can deny but what he or she has had not only ample, but almost continuous warning, yet we placidly go on our way eating and drinking, marrying and given in marriage, as they did in the days of Noah, i The scouts’ motto at this moment is I peculiarly apt—“Be Prepared.”—l am, I etc., ‘ OBSERVER. j Nelson. 30th January.