WAR EFFORT

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22204, 23 February 1942, Page 4

WAR EFFORT

Need To Combat Defeatism England’s Achievements “We are living in stirring times—times which will test the loyalty and the stamina of each of us and of our country,” said the Acting-Mayor, Mr P. B. Foote, in addressing the Scouts and Guides at the rally at Caroline Bay on Saturday afternoon. “We have had reverses,” he continued, "but I am surprised to know that there is defeatism in our midst—people who say we can offer no effective resistance; people who say, ‘What’s the use of doing anything?’ people who add to the distress of their neighbours by voicing their fears and dismay. These are not true British! We can and we will offer desistance —resistance to the death effective resistance. But preparation is essential. Preparation by soldier and civilian alike; by men, women and children, by Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. Although we have suffered reverses, be not dismayed. Some people are fearful of what to-morrow may bring, but they should be glad that as each day goes by it is bringing the turn of the tide nearer. Singapore was lost weeks ago, not the day ft fell. Grand strategy Is working In America and Great Britain, China and India, Australia and New Zealand, all preparing the waves that will turn the tide, and what a tide it will be! China with its 400,000,000 people, America with its vast productive power, India with its millions and its productive power, Australia and New Zealand fighting for their very existence. Russia, too, is inexorably defeating the Germans on a 2000 mile front.

England’s Achievements "Think back a little on what England has done; what Churchill’s genius has achieved,” Mr Foote continued. “It retrieved a broken army from Dunkirk, defeated not by enemy actions, but by the defection of its allies; it won the Battle of Britain in the air; for two years it has held off invasion; it has equipped and trained an army of millions ready to take the field at the right moment; it has helped Russia to a considerable degree; it has, with ths aid of the Dominions, taken from Italy its African possessions of Abyssinia and Eritrea; it has held the enemy at bay in Syria and in Egypt. Aboye all, alone and unaided, it has policed the seven seas and for many months kept the sea routes open. Its diplomacy has held Japan inactive for two years. Russia has been brought into the war and now America is in with the approval and assistance of all the South American Republics. “Need we be dismayed at the fall of Hong Kong and Singapore?” asked Mr Foote. “We should be glad that they did not fall two years ago when England was alone and almost defenceless. Remember these things and thank God for little England and Churchill. Forget your own pleasures, your own desires, forget the 40-hour week, forget social security. Remember only national security. Pull together as one man and one country and we will win. Pull apart and we will fail and be for ever ashamed. Be not disheartened at danger—use it only as a spur to effort and further effort and still greater effort —an effort that, so far as civilian New Zealand is concerned, has not yet been forthcoming.”