NEW ZEALAND'S PERIL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 51, 11 May 1942, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND'S PERIL

NO FALSE SECURITY "THE THREAT IS REAL" Emphasis on the peril of New Zealand at the present moment was made by Mr H. A. Washer of Te Puke at the meeting of citizens in the Grand Theatre in the interests of the Awake New Zealand Campaign. The fall of Corregador in the Philippines, lie said, meant not merely the crumpling of American resistance, but the release of probablj' 250,000 Japanese troops for operations elsewhere. Townville on the Australian East. Coast had been visited by Jap. planes, a possible prelude to bombing! And Townville was within bombing range of New Zealand. The Japanese Army was recruited mainly from the farming community—a hardy frugal type used /to hardship and foraging. That was why Japan could never be starved -"out. That was the calibre of the race which had set its upon our land. New Zealand to-day was enjoying conditions which were not possible in any other country in the world. Yet in this fair land there was that -unwelcome spirit of disinterestedness Which said—it can't happen here! He hoped that all who went from the meeting would have no compunction in knocking the first man -down who said that. The most famous Japanese statesman and generals had put it in record that it was their intention to one day annex Australia and New Zealand. Did any one to-day think that they would turn away from their avowed

conquest and sacrifice all theyi had already Avon while on the Avay to . these countries? It was utter folly to say. sift Every one of us who valued our heritage and the finest Avorking conditions -over enjoyed on earth should be prepared to fight tooth and nail to maintain our possession. Death would, be preferable to pulling rickshaws along the streets of Whakatane. A recent brochure issued by the . Japanese military authorities for circulation amongst their troops fairly revelled in the atrocities committed on the helpless Chinese civilJans. It was not half as bad as what they, would have in store for Ave in XeAV Zealand, who are not even of their colour or culture. Speaking of the value of the radio as an instrument for inspiring morale he said that Goebbcls in GermanA* was pouring out in 36 languages a million Avords daily. To-day the Japanese radio Avas doing the same thing. There were man} 7 " persons aalio listened in reviously to these broadcasts. Clever! had to admit, but lie reminded that every Avord Avas directed them —every word was meant this country's doom. His Beounsel Avas to turn a little further r a i or ,g the short AvaA-c band and listen in to the broadcast standing for ~IG covin tries and backed by the best brains of America. How little Ncav Zealand recognised the radio as a "*■' medium Avas shoAvn by the hocus pocus from Hollywood on the 13 stations and the highbrow classics from the national ones. The AAvake Ncav CZcaland Campaign Avere awaiting \he fullillmnnt of the Prime Minister's promise to utilise the radio to the full. f Xo soldier cc-ukl be expected to fight if the core of the people behind him was rotten. If he knew jfhat all was a hundred per cent, the country Avas fully awake f. and alert: That all possible fighting Avere trained, and armed then lip felt that half his job Avas done.