WHAKATANE AT WAR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 65, 22 September 1939, Page 5

WHAKATANE AT WAR

SOME HUMBLE OPINIONS OUTLOOK 'CLEAR AS MUD' The amazing international mixup following the declaration of the present Avar has given rise to the wildest conjecture, as to just what will happen next. The new line up presented by Avhat been considered hitherto as impossible alliances between countries that haA'e been for generations the bitterest enemies makes the whole business appear to i the man in the streets as one gloriI ous mixup through wli ich ) for the present at any rate, there docs not appear to be a single ray of commonsense or rational understanding. Below are published a few remarks gathered from casual conversations up and do\A r n the main street of Whakatane. Business Accountant: "In Russia, Hitler has hold of a Avild cat, Avhich is liable to scratch anyone and everyone. I cannot sec anything like a lasting alliance between the two." Grocery Manager:; "I believe the British Empire is in for a li&rd time! of it but she must Avin through in the end. The fact that her enemies haA'e turned from the Old Book, makes their cause doomed from the outlet. No nation can succeed Avithout Christianity. LET POLES DOWN, Tradesman: "I reckon avc haA T e let the Poles down bv not sending along at least some sort of assistance in the earlier days of the We certainly stood behind them AA'hen they made a stand against German oppression. W r e led them to belieA'e that aa'c were with them. Wc Averc too, but only in spirit." Shop Assistant: "Well eA T cn if Russia is against us—if the Avhole bloomin' Avorld is against us, I think wo should box on and haA*e a show down AA'ith the lot of them. If Ave don't there AA'ill be no such thing as 'right' in the world in future." Farmer f'ecentlA' enl'stcd): "In mv oninion this Avar is I'kcly to last for at. least twenty year? —with perhaps •a feAA' intciwals of armistice or truce" Shop Manager: "Thee appears to bo something ni'ssing in the hitherto almost faultless methods of British. diplomacy.' 1 ' Electrician; "Unless there is a bustno in the earliest days of the war. T do not think that Germany Avill haA'e nnv undue difficulty in restraining the minorities AA'ithin her present borders. During the Avar, she. wns able to hohl the nconles of both Belgium and France in subjection.for four years. It shouM be much easier AA'ith pconlc more ak ; n to herself." "Maori Labourer: C 'T 'think' avc hold h big tangi, AA'hen aa t c get Hitler." MEN NEEDED HERE. BusinessAVoman: "I th : nk Ncav Zealand has cA'cry need for her own men AA'ithout sending them CA T ersea.s. We don't know AA'hat might happen in the Pacific, and oil" shores should no' be left unprotected. Young Businessman "It is the duty of all single men AA'ho are unencumbered to take up. arms. We've got to fi°'ht Hitler sometime or other or he'll ncA'er stop." HouseAA'ife: "Now that aa*c lwo started the war. I AA'ould not like to see it end Avithout accomplishing all the original objectiA^es." Office Worker: "If the destroyers really got the submarine that torpedoed the Courageous the Germans Avill think tAvice about tackling another escorted vessel.. 19 Stock Agent; "These neutral nations in Europe deserve a "kick in the pants' if they don't come in on, our side. If AA'e're beaten they're for it—< Holland and her East Indies empire especially. Post Office Employee: "I used to be interested in Russia and Communism, but Stalin's move has finished me. These friends of the SoA'iet Union in, Ncaa t Zealand must be feeling pretty sick." GENERALS HAVE LEARNED Returned Soldier: "One thing, it looks as if there aren't going to be any frontal attacks on a big scale by the Allies. They've learnt something by the last Avar. Our generals were in the trenches then."' A Carpenter; "It all depends on Russia's attitude toAvards supplies for Germany. T don't think she has mxieh of a surplus at present, but give? Germany a couple of years and she'll introduce a little efficiency and then '(■cod night, nurse'."