IT CAN HAPPEN HERE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 71, 29 June 1942, Page 5

IT CAN HAPPEN HERE

STORY WITH A MORAL,

AS ONE MAN SEES IT!

The following story was handed to us by a reader who has followed closely the ebb and How of the controversy regarding 'evacuation' and the County E.P.S. Readers Avill draw their own conclusions though it is interesting to relate that the official army order to civilians under military emergency is to 'stnv put,' the official E.P.S.O. order is to prepare definite schemes, and the local chairman says that the county population Avould remain stationary. At anjr rate here is the story:— recently called on a farmer friend of mine, the father of three small boys, called strangely enough Tom, Dick and Harrj r , and a smaller daughter. My friend's brother and his Avife Avere there on a visit, and the tAvo men Avere busy renewing the fence around the bull paddock, with the bull (an ugly looking gentleman) in the near distance. Presently the children came along, and of course, wanted to help with the fencing. Father Avanted to shoo them off out of the Avay, much against their wishes, but uncle eventually thought up a scheme to keep them occupied, with Tom as the senior, and enjoining them to look after their little sister, and look out for the bull. He gave them a toy suade (or Avas it a broom stick?), several sticks for posts, and string for Avire. but no staples. Tom started off in great style, and presently Dick Avanted to giAC a hand, Avhile Harry Avasn't A'ery interested, preferring to Avatch the groAvn-ups, while the little sister did what she | could, although keeping an eye on the bull occasionally. Tliey had their little differences from time to time as children Avill, but got on fairly Avell. Presently auntie came out Avith a piece of cako for each of the youngsters, and the promise of a bigger piece later on. Nobody, however, appeared to take much notice of the gradual approach of the bull. I didn't much like it, especially for the Avee girlie's sake, as she Avas only a todidler. HoAvever, I had to leaA T e, so dda' f t i&now how they got on. The moral? oh yes: 1 seem to have miskiitl it. Now let me see! Suppose Ave recast the characters, and haA r e another look. Hoav Avould it do if AA'e tried this: Father—A Ministerial Dept. of considerable importance. Uncle—Another Dept. of equal importance. Tom—The Home Guard. Dick—The E.P.S.O 1 . Harry—The L.O.G, unit. Little Sister—The Avomen and children of the district. Auntie —The newly . appointed E.P.S. regional commissioners and their district controllers. The Bull—Our enemy, Avho is drawing closer. The Moral —Quit playing around and' wasting time; get to work on a practicable and comprehensive defence scheme, which will provide some measure of protection to everyone in this district, including the women and children.