The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesday's and Fridays. MONDAY, MAY 18, 1942 NATIONAL GROUPS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 54, 18 May 1942, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesday's and Fridays. MONDAY, MAY 18, 1942 NATIONAL GROUPS

DESPITE the overrunning of the smaller nations of Europe,, national groups have at once been formed by the nationals of those countries in the remaining free areas. These national groups have been at once recognised a,s representative of their States, and have been given the. privilege and status, either in fact or nectr to it, of a Government. The Free French movement is widely organised in a representative capacity in many countries; the Czechoslovaks in the United. States who were so active during 1914-18, have again taken up the activity of publishing news concerning their native country, and other important activities to which they naturally do not draw attention. Denmark and Norway also have their Free Groups, while Holland has her own Government operating from the United Kingdom. The residents of the occupied countries are, therefore, conscious of the effort. which their own countrymen in exile are making for the expulsion of the invader, and a vast network of preparation is being extended despite; the Gestapo an:l Quislings. This underground work will continue despite all the forces of oppression can do to counter it, and it will become more and still more effective as Germany's policing arrangements become weaker. This weakening of the German police organisation is brought about by the policy which the Germans are pursuing. Every enlargement of occupied territory reduces the effectiveness of the organisation, and every act embittering the hearts and minds of the people held in thrall increases the need for more thorough supervision. As the hand of tyranny becomes weaker, so the potential danger becomes greater. When the time comes for a general rising the national groups will be found to have done very valuable work indeed for the ultimate achievement of victory.