POINTS OF VIEW

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 62, Issue 4378, 15 January 1941, Page 5

POINTS OF VIEW

OPINIONS OF OUR READERS. WITHOUT ELECTIONEERING. Sir, —Our national war effort would receive a great boost if all political parties refrained from campaigning for the election to be held in November next. There would be a great saving in time, wind, and money, and our political leaders on both sides would earn the respect of everyone within the Empire if a real political truce were decided on and carried out for the duration of the war. When election day arrives let the people go along and cast their votes without the usual preceding turmoil of electioneering speeches. It is doubtful, anyway, if these speeches have much influence on the average voter. The majority of people know to-day what party they will vote for 11 months hence; and the wheedling words of the candidates—not so candid, sometimes—are goin gto make little or no difference on the day. Are did, sometimes—are going to make the personal and party sacrifice?—l am, etc., H.K.

THE LESSON OF NAURU. Sir, —To argue about what should have been done to defend Nauru is like crying over spilled milk; but lessons can be learned from past mistakes. The mistakes are not so much the fault of governments as of the public opinion which supports those governments. The public itself is to blame for the following three fundamental reasons: it allowed its horror of war to sidetrack its judgment of the need for defence; it shirked the discipline which involved interference with its comfort and pleasure; and it persisted in regarding expenditure on defence and social services as a burden instead of as an insurance premium to prevent trouble. One lesson we should learn is that in future years any system of import selection should provide that the first charge upon the proceeds of our exports should be for the payment for imports of naval vessels and aircraft, then for interest payments, and last of all for general imports. One shilling, or even two, in the pound on the value of our exports, taken over 20 years, would provide us with a serviceable navy and air force to help in the protection of our commerce in times of need. It would provide opportunities of a seafaring life for our boys, which should be a natural consequence of our island position, and the building of the naval vessels and aircraft would provide employment in the Empire ship-building yards in Britain and Northern Ireland. The last 20 years were wasted. Let us make good use of the next 20.—1 am, etc., SAFETY IN THE FUTURE.