The Bay of Plenty Beacon PUBLISHED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4, 1942. AMERICA FIGHTS BACK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 12, 4 February 1942, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon PUBLISHED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4, 1942. AMERICA FIGHTS BACK

SOMETHING of the temper of the promised American counter-blow to Japanese treachery, may be gleaned from the lightning attacks by aeroplanes and surface craft on the island; bases in the. Marshall, Coroline and Gilbert Groups. The swiftness and deadly nature of all these enterprises is indicated by the complete state: of unprepaiedness of the Japanese occupants, who caught unawares made little or no attempt at defending their posts. The tale of wrecked naval auxiliary vessels and the; destruction of island fortifications provides some idea of the thoroughness of the attack, which also sounds the alert for the whole of the Japanese forces operating in the Pacific. It will now be patent to the enemy that the American fleet, far from hiding in its bases is fully on the alert and will make what strategic moves it can to harrass the Japanese plan of campaign before the major naval clash which must take place in the near future. It would seem rather strange that Japai should leave her recently acquired possessions so open to attack. The reason can possibly be found; in the wholehearted contempt which the average Nipponese feels for the decadent foreigners. If so,, these same Nipponese have many sharp and bitter lessons coming to them witness the splendid work of General McArthur s fighting forces in the Phillipines in frustrating all attempts of the numerically superior Japanese to dislodge him from his fortified upland. American aid in £he Pacific theatre of war has been promised to all countries in need of it. The giant military machine which will be launched against the Japanese is fast nearing completion, and the recent island bombardments furnish but a foretaste of what lies in store for the nation of treachery and corruption.

EftORE MAORIS FOR SERVICE

FIFTY-FOUR local young Ma,or is left yesterday for train-

ing at Pukekohe, preparatory to reinforcing the Maori Battalion already serving overseas. This number is a substantial addition to the Maoris already with the colours who hav'3 been drawn from the Whakatane district, and brings the total to a figure approaching three hundred and fifty. Th.j response, according to the authorities has been splendid, worthy in every way of the fighting Matatua traditions. A l .' eady it has beaten the figures recorded for Maori volunteers during the last war from this area, but this may be explained by the substantial increase in the population. Th) Battalion is already remarkable for the number of fi. miiies having three, four and five members in its ranks,, wlikc even these figures would be swelled were it not for a fai.' p; oportion who have been rejected on medical grounds. When the Avar is over and peace re-established the Matatua federation of tribes will have an honours record of which its people may justly be proud.

NOT ONLY AT TANEATUA!

CR. McCREADY'S criticism of untidy persons Taneatua, who make a habit of depositing their rubbish anywhere and everywhere, could very effectually be applied to arch-offend-ers in Whakatane."* Particularly could his remarks be addressed to certain shop-hold,ers with rear harbour frontager, whose whole conception of a tidal river seems to be, that it is a permanent dumping ground for rubbish and waste of every description. We understand that the Chamber of Commerce intends taking the matter up in the near future with a view to correcting it, but it should be realised that the question definitely turns upon the institution of a regular rubbish collection service, of which Whakatane,, to its standing disgrace, is without.