N.Z.’s WAR EFFORT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 27 October 1941, Page 4

N.Z.’s WAR EFFORT

WARNING AGAINST COMPLACENCY NEED FOB I TMOS I K \< It 11 H I OPPOSITION LEADERS BROADCAST A warning to the people of New Zoa land against the danger of indifference and complacency because of the eoun- • . it imunit y from the horroi of modern war was given in a broadcast address last night by the Leader of t!.<- Opposition. Mr Holland. He drew attention to tie need for more and more sacrifice to meet the growing (<> t of the Dominion war effort, a > v.ell as to help to overcome the drain on the country productive manpower Now Zealanders had had a gloriou heritage handed down to them by men and women who had fought and made a orifices to achieve it. People were apt to forget this nowadays, but thi* heritage was in jeopardy unless those who threatened it could be defeated, not by logical arguments, but by force of arms. The German hordes had already overrun the major part of Europe, and every right of many unfortunate nations had been trampled underfoot. It had fallen fight to preserve their privileges from a similar fate. MAINTENANCE OF RIGHTS “We have no particular quarrel with the Nazi system provided it is kept to Germany, but when its authors seek to impose it upon other nations by brute force, then we will resist that invasion till it is defeated and destroyed," said Mr Holland. 'The Italians have a perfect right to Fascism if they prefer it. but we have an equal right to our democratic wav of life, which, with all its faults, suits us. It is that which we are fighting to preserve ” Mr Holland drew attention to the vast change in modern war from anything hitherto known and to the fact that the civilian in plain clothes was just as much in the front line as the soldier. “We have here in New Zealand. thank God. so far been spared the deadly bomb, food rationing and so on. but there is a very real danger of <,ur fortunate immunity from physical discomforts and personal danger producing in our people indifference and complacency which would be Hitler’s greatest ally.” MUCH TO BE DONE New Zealand had done well in sending the flower of her manhood to the three fighting services and in meeting home defence needs, said Mr Holland, but there was still much to be done by those at home. There were big gaps to be filled because of the drain on tne country's productive man-power resources. Thousands of men and women were sacrificing their leisure hours in home defence requirements. Others had already made sacrifices in hours of work and overtime as a contribution to the war effort. Those who were doing their share regarded it as a privilege. National sendee in wartime was not restricted to those who served in the armed forces. The feeding, clothing and housing of the civilian population, a.- welt as the armed forces, w as of enormous importance, and in this everyone could help. There was an acute shortage of farm workers, and with the harvesting season approaching, all able to assist should lend a hand willingly. "Those who are able to lend more should lend more. Those who can produce more should do so. Those who can work more should make that their war effort. Let us resolve to increase our own independent effort. Service in such a cause as we are fighting for is more than a duty; it is indeed » privilege. - ’