“APPARENT LACK OF INTEREST”

Southland Times, Issue 23782, 1 April 1939, Page 8

“APPARENT LACK OF INTEREST”

YOUTH OF DOMINION ATTITUDE TOWARDS NEW ZEALAND’S DEFENCE “There is an apparent lack of interest on the part of the youth of New Zealand towards the defence of the Dominion, although it is pleasing to see that the authorities are doing something about it.” remarked Mr R. H. Court, of' Sydney, in an interview with The Southland Times yesterday. “The people of New Zealand should realize that it. is their country to defend and if it is, worth living in it is worth defending.” The youth of the country must be ready when the authorities decided to back up their efforts to defend New Zealand, Mr Court said. They had sovereign rights under the Statute of Westminster and should be prepared to defend them. Although it was undoubtedly important to have a strong air - arm it was even more essential to have manpower. Referring to New Zealand’s mandate over Samoa Mr Court said they had already heard from Herr Hitler that he wanted colonies. But what he wanted even more was export markets and credits overseas. If Herr Hitler decided that he wanted Samoa back he was not going to go to the British Prime Minister about it. Possession was nine points of the law and New Zealand was going to find herself responsible. ■ It was pleasing to see that new bomb- ■ ers were being purchased, but more naval activity was necessary because in the event of war New Zealand would be faced with the problem of getting her primary products to Britain. New Zealand’s position was different strategically than 1 it was at the time of the Great War. Now, Italy and Japan were its enemies. If steps were not taken to defend the Dominion somebody else would come and get it, Mr Court added.