The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29. 1942. DRAW YOUR BUNDS—7.30 p.m. THE IMMEDIATE OUTLOOK.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLXI, Issue 15236, 29 December 1942, Page 2

The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29. 1942. DRAW YOUR BUNDS —7.30 p.m. THE IMMEDIATE OUTLOOK.

No doubt the inspiring news of the last few months is responsible fo’the plethora of predictions regarding the date of the end oi the war. Some of them have been merely guesswork born of the hope of an early cessation. but in some instances cogent reasons, for the assumption that Germany might well collapse, have been advanced by responsible observers, amongst the latest being Dr. Belies and Dr. Melchior Palyi, an international economist. Although we are not competent at the present juncture to forecast internal collapse of Nazi Germany, it would seem to us in New Zealand that the outlook of tlx© enemy for 1913 is indeed bleak and unpromising particularly in comparison with the prospects of twelve months ago. Since that time we have gone a long way towards «he final victory and although we fully appreciate the difficulties, the blood the sweat and the tears still to be the lot of the Allies, it is well at times to pause and count our blessings lo appreciate the long way we have traversed, the obstacles wo have overcome and the valiant efforts of ouj men and those of our Allies, is to give us cause to hope that an early' victory is not merely a figment of the imagination b v ut a distinct possibility Tor the first time Hitler finds himself occupied on at least two major fronts, and his Luftwaffe have faded to make the way easy for further conquests. The Russian advances have become a source of grave concern to the Germans ior whom Dr. Goebbels spoke last week v k hde the assistance of the Axs partner in the Tar East is much less encouraging to the Huns than was thought. The war of nerves is operating against its origmator to a remarkable degree and the limitless resources of the United Nations in the field of production are giving promise of decided and early superiority in every phase of warfaie. Italy is almost crushed and her further assistance to Germany must be iegarded with dismay by the 1 ascGt chiefs. The U-boat menace still remains a decided menace with one consoling feature—the continued loss of ships is accompanied by an increase in the number of U-boats destroyed. The leaders of the United Nations are, however, anything but complacent and undeterred by the grave struggle ahead, ignore the many prophecies of unofficial opinion to push on with immense preparations for the next round which if not the final round is a step nearer the victory of the Allies over Fascism in every part of the globe.