The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1941. LAST MONTH OF AN EVENTFUL YEAR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 187, 1 December 1941, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1941. LAST MONTH OF AN EVENTFUL YEAR

INCREDABLE as it may seem,, to-day marks the commencement of the last month of the eventful year of 1941. A glance back at the tremendous world events which ha,ve now been delegated to history makes one heartily thankful that the Empire still remains intact, loyal and more powerful than ever. The year dawned' with one power alone standing in Hitler's path, a.nd that was Great Britain. Great things have happened since those days of grave danger, when Britishers the world over steeled themselves for the supreme test which it was anticipated would settle once and for all the claims of Germany to world dominion one way or the other. Who was to foresee the drive into the Balkans, the engulfment of Yugoslavia and gallant Greece; who was to imagine the somersault that transferred the main fighting front to. western Russia; or who to foretell the new Battle of Libya, which will undoubtedly preclude the coming struggle for the Caucasus. All these vast international affairs have been crammed into less than twelve months, and have now been borne away (or are in the process of being borne) on the great tide of time and circumstance. December with its traditional smile of happiness drawing near, is this year again to be shadowed by the war cloud engendered by the Madman of Berchesgarten. But the outlook to-day is vastly different for this time the two great English-speaking Empires are in closest collaboration in the defence of democracy. A year's undisturbed armament effort has wrought miracles in building up Britain's striking power. To-day we can view the war zone with far greater confidence than we did twelve months ago. Our garrisons lie at all the vital points along the Asiatic coastline:, Singapore, Borneo, and Malay; the link with America has transformed mere friendship into active allegiance; the fleet definitely controls the Mediterranean, while the new Eighth Army in Libya is strong enough to take the offensive. The twelth month dawns well for the Empire. How much will have happened 'ere its close.