PEOPLE OF N.Z. “TOO SMUG”

Southland Times, Issue 23793, 15 April 1939, Page 6

PEOPLE OF N.Z. “TOO SMUG”

Organization Needed For Emergency

TASK FOR EVERY MAN AND WOMAN

(United Press Association)

AUCKLAND, April 14. The organization of the manhood and womanhood of New Zealand in the form of allotting tasks to be performed by each individual in the event of a national emergency was urged by Mr J. W. Collins, a former New Zealand trade commissioner in North America, at a luncheon held by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. The scheme he suggested would be on a voluntary basis. Mr' Collins recently returned to the Dominion after a world tour. During the September crisis, he said, he was in Paris when 1,000,000 men were mobilized for war in 24 hours. Every man and woman in France had previously received a “ticket,” and when the call to ai-ms came every’ person knew where to go and what to do. The organization was marvellous. There was no confusion. Every man and woman in Italy and Germany, too, had a “ticket,” Mr Collins continued, and were prepared to go to their allotted tasks as soon as the call was made. The speaker said he was in Italy after the crisis and saw the demobilization of the population. Again there was no confusion. He could imagine the system at work in those countries today. Although he was convinced that the people did not want war, Mr Collins said that in Italy even children from seven to 12 years of age had their “tickets” and knew where to go in the event of a crisis. Intensive physical training had given Germany a strength in manhood and womanhood that was terrifying. During the bush fires ini Australia early this year, Mr Collins said he had been told that nad the nation’s manpower been organized the damage would have been considerably less than it was. While some were battling with the flames, thousands were sunbathing on Sydney beaches. The people in New Zealand were inclined to be too smug and felt that they were safe, he continued. They were oblivious to the fact that in four days aeroplanes from Japan could reach the Dominion; that it was only five days by air from Germany and Italy; and that Britain would be too occupied near home to be able to lend New Zealand or Australia much help.