GRAVE DANGER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 12, 6 October 1942, Page 6

GRAVE DANGER

STILL FACES NEW ZEALAND

WARNING BY MINISTER

A warning of the gravity of the situation in which New Zealand still stood was issued, by the Minister of Civil Defence, the Hon. W. A. Bodkin, when addressing a parade of 1400 members of Emergency Precautions Service units in the New Plymouth electric light buildings rc* cently. "It will not be a matter for regret, but one for congratulation, if we put all possible time into our E.P.S. work and are never called out," added Mr Bodkin. "It is up to everybody to peifform jobs whether they are necessary or not at, the moment. Particularly in coastal areas do we need to have E.P.S. organisations functioning efficiently," said the speaker. While there was every reason to be proud of New Zealand's war effort, which was now strengthened by the presence of American servicemen, Mie position \yas still so grave, said Mr Bodkin, that there coukl be no "let-up" in the defence system. "Although I believe that we have the position well in hand, we have to remember that changes can occur overnight," he continued. "One naval disaster in the Pacific can again place this country in a vulnerable position."' Working to Show-down "'Though we have made the most of our time, so have the Japanese," the Minister warned. "We know that the}* are one of the most resolute, determined and powerful nations on the face of the earth, and we 'know they are definitely working up to a great showdown. We have no doubt, of the outcome—we will be successful. He was convinced that the tj T pe of raid. New 7 Zealand would be subjected to, if any, would be on "hit and run" 1 lines, said Mr Bodkin. "While the danger is great, I don't suggest that there is any causc for alarm," he added. "But there is need for preparedness so that any such raid will result in substantial losses to the enemy. In combating such a raid, it is our organisation, the E.P.S., which would immediately go into action."' Mr Bodkin referred in glowing terms to the A.R.P. workers of Britain. "No more glorious chapter will ever be written," he said, "than that describing the conduct of the British people under blitz conditions. It is: our job to see that our E.P.S. measures up to the besUi tradition of the British race." All - service, however dangerous, performed by E.P.S. units became small in comparison with the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces, declared the Minister. "But I am convinced," he concluded, "thatlarge or small, E.P.S. jobs will make important contributions to efforts which will eventually establish, for all time, I' hope, the right l'or men to live in peace, masters of their own souls and destinies."