BRITAIN'S TASK

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24189, 3 February 1942, Page 2

BRITAIN'S TASK

! Sir, —Being as English as roast beef although I have lived in New Zealand all my conscious life it makes my blood boil to hear Australians —and some New Zealanders—abusing the country from which they sprang and decrying its Government and it achievements. Is Australia a part of the British Empire and what are its duties to itself and the remainder of the Empire? What has it done to entitle it to lecture its mother? Hat, it devoted itself more strenously and intelligently to its own defence and that of the Empire than England has? With greater Health per head of population has she spent more per capita than England has on (1) the Navy (2) the Army, () the Air Force? And why all this noise when an enemy (long anticipated) approaches within 300 miles of her coasts and 1800 miles of Sydney? Do Australians ever reflect that a much more powerful enemy has been established for over a year within twenty miles of the coast of England and within eighty miles of London itself? When Australians cry to Mother tor succour do they understand her manifold difficulties and responsibilities on every'sea and in every land: and can they doubt that the most important of all her duties is to maintain the independence of Britain? With Britain subjugated how long would Australia remain independent? Certainly not six months: probably not six weeks. When Australia has been subjected to half the danger, devastation and difficulties to which the home of endurance and courage.has for long b°en subjected it will be time enough for her to howl. And it would be well for hf> to recognise that Britain is not a dependency of Australia * E Earle Vaile.