SNAP OUT OF IT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 34, 27 March 1942, Page 4

SNAP OUT OF IT

Sir,—Tlic manner in which many of our fittest males are satisfied to fulfil their duty in tliis crisis by .. serving in non-combatant services, calls for a debunking campaign without delay. This tongue-inthe-cheek attitude will never win any war nor frustrate an eftemy who is prepared to come 5000 miles to tackle the invasion of these islands. That is net an orthodox war: no two phases are alike; and to imagine that emergency precautions, evolved to meet overseas conditions, would apply to the same degree this district is sheer moonshine. . These services are praiseworthy, but how are they * regarded by our enemy? He knows that every potential fighting man joining those services is one less to oppose him with a weapon of offence. The obvious remedy is a re-shuffle and no hinderance should be placed, fn the way of converting a noncombatant assistant into a fit and trained Home Guardsman. The controlling powers would doubtless protest that it simply could not be done. And the Japs would probably believe them. That auxiliary services cannot rely on the protection of international conventions from victory-flushed, mobs should be evident by now and be ample incentive for able men to leave the bandaging, fire watching nnd inspection of blackout curtains to others who are perhaps not sa fit, but willing and capable nevertheless. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Yours etc., WAZZER. .