The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JANUARY 6th, 1941 PROSPECTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 254, 6 January 1941, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JANUARY 6th, 1941 PROSPECTS

THE New Year finds a bewildered world fearfully facing the future, dreading- what it may have in store, but still optimistic enough to hope for brighter and better things. The faith of the, British peoples in ultimate victory remains as unshaken as ever and despite, the ruin and desolation e: the Nazi bombing' raids the morale of the Empire is high. The year, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty-one, ope;i3 with the successful British investment of Italian Libya, the pending fall of the important fortress of Bardia, and the continued pressure of the Greeks against the Italians in Albania . This is cheering news, but perhaps the greatest announcement of all is President Roosvelt's open declaration of co-operation with Britain durinf the coming year. Meanwhile in the troubled Balkans, the Nazis have extended their operations by the infiltration of Rumania and Hungary, where there are now reputed to be over half a million troops advancing menacingly toAvards the -Greek frontier. Co-incident with the movement comes the German announcement of help for Italy by sea, land and air. The fact that British and Greek naval units have penetrated the Adriatic makes the German aid by sea seem rather empty, but in other respects the northern Axis partner .tie j be expected to exert formidable efforts to preserve the prestige of the tripartate. The Outcome lies in the days ahead and any deflection from the Blitzkreig of England will probably spell the destiny of Egypt. The distant rumbings of the struggle have penetrated the southern Pacific, waters, when with the dawn of the new year came the disquieting news of enemy raiders active south of New Zealand. Ten ships trading in Australasian waters have been lost by their operations. New Zealanders are learning the realities of war on a smaller scale than their English kinsmen, but nevertheless the warning is clear and - urgent. The approaching twelve months will show how much more involved they will become. This is not a time for guaging prosperity in terms of butterfat. Neither it is a period the enforcement of union working conditions and futile labour disputes. The Empire is fighting for its life, and New Zealand indulging in its safety, its wonderful climate, its freedom from hardships, its abundant food supply and its remarkable prosperity is probably without peer in the world today. By comparison it is in bright and shiningcontrast to any European state, while the average individual is richer in substance and health than any other national on the face of the earth. While we enjoy these priceless endowments we should endeavour to be humbly grateful for them and worthy in every respect dujing 1941.