THIS LAND OF OURS!

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 235, 8 November 1940, Page 4

THIS LAND OF OURS!

BROADLY speaking- all who attended the meeting addressed by the Hon. R. Semple and General Young last Tuesday evening*, despite their own individual views must have had at least one thought in common —that this land of ours is worth fighting for. Both speakers made no secret of the fact tha.t New Zealand was no longer to be regarded as an isolated group of islands so. far removed as to be almost unassailable; both adopted the same urgent tone in appealing for the creation of.a garrison army of 300,000. In its ranks it was hoped to include all who by a,ge or responsibility were: prevented from fighting overseas. Organisation and training were urged immediately and from the tone of representative speakers, Whakatane will not be behind ether centres in doing its bit, as it already done by way of supplying the fighting forces with 500 volunteers. The problem of arms and equipment appears to have been overcome to some extent and Returned/ Soldiers last Tuesday evening listened with a good deal of satisfaction to details of the plans already well in hand for the protection and defence of the Dominion. The formation of a local executive which will give consideration, to a definite programme of training and allocation of duties will be welcomed in all quarters. Hundreds are ready to do their bit and Tuesday's addresses were needed to do the rounding off to a,ny hesitancy or ignorance of what was in the wind. We as a young nation are threatened, with the rest of the Empire and therefore must be prepared to defend our shores. God forbid that there should be any of our citizens who could hang back in the face of such a duty or a trust.