THE DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23883, 10 August 1939, Page 8

THE DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND

\ # -i TO THE EDITOR'- , , \ , Sxijj—Every" day we hear and read sortlbre news 'of the state of Europe and the. -East,'; and! we scarcely know what a day will bring forth. In spite of religion," and in spite of the prayers and hopes of women all the world over, the<spirit of war still stalks abroad, hovering darkly over .Europe, and casting its shadow over even our small bur prosperous country. Youth in Germany and Italy is being drilled daily, has been drilled for years, and Its physique is, according to all visitors to those countries, of the very finest, ready to fight and to endure. What of our youth? In any country town or township, they may be seen on Saturday morning, and even on Sunday, upholding the posts ?of the various verandas. Cannot they.,': be drawn into some system of training? If they can. should war not come—and pray God that it will not—they will have gained greatly in endurance and in physical fitness, they will have learned to stand and walk upright. Remember, if it comes, to an issue. that one fit man. is worth two unlit. When will the authorities wake up to the need.that every man and youth should be drilling, drilling regularly, in town and country alike? Men f in Public Works camps., too, should take their turn'at learning to defend, this country .-J am. etc.. Hope.