THE TRAINED CITIZEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24208, 25 February 1942, Page 4

THE TRAINED CITIZEN

Sir, —Major Melrose is right-. What attitude will preserve this land—that the father should be proud to regard himself as a shield for his children, or should a father be thankful that his children are a shield for him? Should he wait until he is called up before beginning to train himself to destroy the invader? If the authorities called up more men for full-time service it would unnecessarily disorganise the life of the community. If, however, all fit citizens with the most precious assets to protect-rtheir little ones—started to train now physically, mentally, and in war craft, then we can defend this land and we can destroy the invaders. The hour demands that civic leadership should take an unswerving stand that offensive defence is urgent and will be successful. Arms and work are necessary, but they arp useless unless will and determination permeated the whole comgiunity. It is regrettable but nevertheless true that the continuous concentration of civic leadership on Emergency Precautions Service has quite unconsciously been at the expense of will, determination and confidence. A. G. QtJARTLEY.