RELIEF COMES TO BRITAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22448, 8 September 1944, Page 2

RELIEF COMES TO BRITAIN

Britain’s celebration of its liberation from flying bombs, which should soon be complete, is accompanied by a decision to lessen the demands on the home defence forces, including the fire guards, and to relax the blackout regulations. This is the first relief it has been found possible to give a hard-pressed people for five years. The rest of the Empire, and indeed all the United Nations, will joy with Britain in this manifestation of the progress of the war toward victory. The decisions are eloquent of Britain’s confidence that the Luftwaffe has been defeated. Even street lighting is to be increased in power. The general effect on the public will be an important step in the return of civilisation to sanity. No undue risks are being taken, and Britain will remain in a condition to revert mmediately to a state of complete preparedness, but it is unlikely that the people will again be required to return to the privations of the past five years.

Many tributes have been paid to the British Home Guard, which has served its purpose and been placed on a • oluntary basis. ' This body of men of all ages and conditions has every reason to be proud of the service it has performed. The Home Guard was formed to fight, if necessary, on the beaches, on the hills, in the streets, and in the houses if the enemy dared to invade Britain. Although the enemy did not cross the Channel the Guard still filled an important role. When powerful armies were sent overseas it had to garrison the homeland until the danger had passed. Now thousands of men and women will be enabled to return to their occupation and begin the rebuilding of a Britain which has been in the front line of the war for more than five years.