BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 16, 13 February 1942, Page 4

BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

AN article in to-day's issue, by a responsible Wellington businessman, and written before the deterioration of the position at Singapore, is we feel, but a reflection of what most thinking citizens know and believe to be a fact. The possibility* of invasion of these islands becomes more and more certain as events in the Pacific take their shape. The great fortress of the Orient, fashioned by British hands, financed, by British capital for the: pa,st twenty years has become little more than another Maginot Line. Its use as a naval base has collapsed and we have the mortification of listening to broadcasts describing the systematic destruction of dockyards and defences costing millions to prevent them falling into, the hands of the enemy.' We have heard this phrase before, we think, and recall bitterly that it is usually the prelude to a more desperate situation arising. Whatever happens, and the position now has been described as 'very serious,' we must realise that Singapore cannot be regarded in future as a protection to the Southern Pacific countries. The responsibility of defending this area has devolved upon the inhabitants of the countries themselves, and it is with that point in view that we write now. With all the seriousness at our disposal, with all the assurance at our command, we must sound the warning. The danger which is developing, unless the people of this country 'wake up,' may well bespeak a national calamity. Japan has struck everywhere with startling rapidity;' Whereever her forces have been sent they have effected a footing and against experienced troops have by weight cf numbers and strong air support, advanced, in spite of the stoutest defence. Her complete control of the Pacific is emphasised by the six main fronts to which she is now T sending her troops and her machine's of war. Why, should New Zealand be spared. Singapore investment leaves the gate Avide open and if we are to believe in the programme of expansion adopted by the Japanese, which hitherto has been adhered to detail by detail, then it is the lands of Australasia,, to which she will next divert her forces. With the fall of the Pacific bases, one by one, the stage is well set, and yet .... Every able-bodied man will be needed if this very ominous and obvious course should, be taken. With every precious moment now vital to our cause we look in vain for cohesion and the flight of utter complacency. To-diay we should be a nation standing to arms, full of determination and feverish with active measures to meet the possible foeman wherever he may seek to invade our shores. Properly organised and equipped we can be depended upon to give a good account of ourselves but with the zero hour approaching and the sands running cut, the time for action,, if ever it was,, is now.