A VITAL AREA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 41, 17 April 1942, Page 5

A VITAL AREA

THE BAY OF PLENTY

IMPORTANCE OF DEFENCE

LOCAL AUTHORITIES CONFER

Town and country authorities from all parts of the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua atended a further meeting in Whakatane on Tuesday for the purpose of discussing the joint defence of the area, the equipping and training of the Home Guard and the improvement of arms' and munitions. The Mayors of Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatane and Te Puke and the County -chairmen of the same areas comprised the meeting the main objective of which was to strengthen the hands o.f the Homo Guard unit's posted throughout the Bay. To this end. the meeting pledged the fullest support to the garrison forces sta>tioned on the Elast Coast and formed what will bo known as a Civic Defence Council. This body will officially represent the interests of the people living in the Bay of Plenty ancl will give a lead in the creation of arms and equipment along the lines of other districts throughout the Waikato and Thames Valley. Long Overdue His Worship the Mayor of Whakatane who- presided, invited comment and constructive criticism and it was obvious from the tone of the meeting that the common objective was to set to work without delay to effect improvements which were already long overdue. Reports were received from those members who attended the conference with the Prime Minister at Hamilton recently when many o.f the articles of defence Avhich are already being \roluntarily produced by citizen effort were inspected. It Avas stated that the splendid lead given by the people of the Waikatc in answer to jor Melrose's "AAvake NeAV Zealand Campaign" Avas an inspiration and it Avas hoped to folloAV a similar line in centres throughout the Bay of Plenty.

Local Manufacture The opinion was expressed that certain equipment could be manufactured in local workshops, working to a pattern design which would make for uniformity of arms. When such a movement was launched speakers had no doubt but that there would be a prompt and willing response by proprietors of workshops, garages and engineering establishments. This had already been done in other centres and the Bay of Plenty would not be slow in following suit. Funds for the production of such arms would be either subscribed by the local bodies affected or by pub- 1 lie subscription, xir by both. It was a case- of the people helping themselves to tide over an emergency, and it would be the object of the Council to see that all Home Guardsmen had a weapon of some- description in. their hands. A Military Survey^* A further subject which came in feir discussion was the matter of a military survey of the whole of the Bay, which it was claimed by reason of its situation, wide beaches and natural cover, constituted an area of great strategic importance from a belligerent point of view. It was argued a representative body such as that comprising the Council had a right to ask the Ministei of Defence for the institution of such a survey which would be ox great assistance in strengthening the most vulnerable points. It was therefore decided to write requesting the Minister to take steps to have a survey made from the CoTomandels. on the north to the East Cape on the south. The. Minister will also be asked to take the Council into his confidence in the matter of measures alrea<lj r taken for the defence of this area of coast line. The Defence Council will meet at regular intervals and will, be losing no time in making enquiries into the matter of weapon and munition manufacture.