PORTS ON THE OPEN COAST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23863, 14 January 1941, Page 6

PORTS ON THE OPEN COAST

Since the shelling of Nauru by German sea raiders, the question of the protection of New Zealand towns on the open coast has raised itself. Napier has decided to shade the brilliantly lighted Marine Parade on the seaward side and the Clifton County Council is writing to the Minister of Defence, suggesting a black-out at A\ aitara. The concern expressed is natural and prudent. Surely no one is going to assert at this date that "it can't happen here." The fate of the Niagara, Turakina, Holmwood and Rangitane has brought the lurking menace very near home and the shelling at Nauru proves that the raiders are daring enough to select shore targets if they offer a sufficiently important objective. The fact should be noted, although needless anxiety is to be deprecated. The mission of the raiders is primarily to prey on shipping, hunting it in the comparative safety of the ocean's immensities. If the hunting happens to be poor, however, a raiding squadron might be tempted to seek its quarry in open harbours like Napier, New Plymouth, Timaru, Oamaru or Westport, With heavy guns it could stand well out to sea and bombard merchantmen at the wharves. The general idea of making this sort of raiding as difficult as possible is sensible. Whether the black-out—effective only at nightoffers the best protection is a matter for marine experts. Large and confusing masses of lights may make it more difficult to pick up bearings than none at all, and more difficult to spot the fall of shells. And other stratagems might be used to mislead the enemy, It is as well, nevertheless, that the question has been opened and it should have the careful consideration of the defence authorities. What can be usefully done should be done.