NEW ZEALAND'S PERIL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 33, 25 March 1942, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND'S PERIL

EFFORT TO ROUSE COMMUNITY

FARMERS TAKE THE LEAD 1

National defence was. the principal subject under consideration at the monthly meeting of the Auckland Farmers' Union held on Wednesday, March 18. At the close of a lengthy and animated discussion it was agreed that the farmers of the province should take a lead in awakening the community from its present condition of apathy and helplessness, commencing its campaign with a huge public meeting in the Auckland Town Hall, with the ultimate object of forcing upon the Government the need for urgent- action to mobilise the whole of the national resources of manpower and materials. The subject was introduced by the president, Captain Rushworth, who stated that during the course of the last meeting of the Dominion Executive in Wellington a deputation from that body had waited upon the Prime Minister and the other members of the War Cabinet. There were also in attendance the heads of the fighting services. The deputation had placed before the Cabinet the considered views of the Executive, which included the suggestion that, as an alternative to the best solution, a truly National Government, there should, be a strengthened war Cabinet, with wider powers, including the control of all phases- of the country's activities impinging on the Avar effort. This should be done by the Introduction into the War Cabinet of men of proved energy and administrative abilit3 r , regardless of political considerations and, if necessary, outside politics. Community Discipline

At the chairman's request, Mr A. C. A. Sexton reported on this conference, where lie had, in assoeiation with Mr A. Briscoe Moore, represented the Auckland Union. i What was needed at the present lime, Mr Sexton said, was discipline of the Avho'lc community so that each member, male or female, would realise that we were under war conditions and would act accordingly. ( He believed the people could be | armed if the full resources of the j country were properly organised _ and. utilised. Numbers counted as | well as equipment, for we had to recognise that these enemies were , thoroughly equipped and were vete- ( ran fighters. Our Home Guard forces should be tremendously increased: and urgent steps should be taken to manufacture and supply equipment ( The meetings at the Town Hall, the previous night, he asserted, was no -redit to Auckland, the attendance being 1500 from a population of 250,000. "The speeches." continued Mr Sexton, "were mostly soothing syrup." Japanese May Try to Land l The chairman said an attack by the enemy would take one of two forms —an air raid, or an invasion in force. To him either seemed, improbable', but in Mar it was the improbable that happened. His view was that the Japanese object in coming to New Zealand would be to deny cur ports to the American navy. Needs of the Home Guard 1 Home Guard units, even with equipment which at present was lacking, were useless as a military factor without supporting services such as supplies, signalling, stretch- J er bearers etc. For to ask them to face an enemy under other conditions was simply to invite mass murder. "Now, what arc we going to do nbout it?" asked the president in conclusion. "Can we sit down helpless? Can we send to the Government with any confidence that it will do what is necessary? Or shall we urge upon the Government the inclusion in the War Cabinet of ' men who have persistence, vision., ' energy and organising ability? They • won't be found in Parliament. Anything is preferable to the present p.pathy and helplessness.

The Shelter and Food Complex Mr J. H. Furniss said that it seemed evident that the farmers ot the Auckland Province would have to move and give the country a lead, [n Auckland city it seemed to him that the people were more concerned in building shelters and packing food supplies than in preparing to face an enemy. Mr Heath Mason spoke of the excellent work done by the Home Guard in the Te Ivuiti area. The Maoris, he said, were very skilful in guerilla work. In a poor area, the

Waitomo district, £250 had been j raised to. help the Home Guard's Activities. He was satisfied that the right spirit was latent in New Zealand. It only needed to< be awaken ed by effective leadership. Mr Glasgow agreed as to the gravity of the situation, but questioned the utility of the remedies suggested. In this, as in the past wars, all the best generals were left at home. We —and the same remarks applied to other countries —had no confidence •in anybody. Some mistakes were 1 inevitable. He thought the present War Cabinet was large enough. He questioned the wisdom of the Union taking up purely military questions.. There were plenty of opportunities for its assistance on the economic front.

Mr V. Sims said he had no faith in meetings. What they wanted was action. How much money could we find to establish a factory to make trench mortars?

Mr Blade 1 , while doubting the efficacy of public meetings, said the masses wanted leadership, and the women wanted protection. Most people at present had bread and butter ami silk stocking minds.

Mr Iv. S. Coxc "Leadership migh emerge from a public meeting."

Mr E. Palliser considered there was more urge to fight in the country than in the towns. Should they not organise l meetings in the country as well as in Auckland? "The farmers will have to carry the towns. They have done it before, and must do it again."

Following subsequent discussion an amendment was moved by Mr Blade that a fresh deputation be appointed to wait upon the Prime Minister with concrete proposals. This was lost, and after a further amendment had also: been lost, Mr Furniss' motion -was carried, the President and Mr Sexton being asked. to organise the meeting.