THIS DISQUIETING LULL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 53, 5 March 1943, Page 4

THIS DISQUIETING LULL

UNEASINESS regarding the activities of the Japanese in the South Pacific, has of late been exercising the mind of the Australian public. Pertinent questions are being' asked in the press regarding the strength of the new concentrations, and the meaning of the terms recently contained in General McArthur's communiques referring' ot the 'offensive wall of islands' which the Japanese are reported to be creating in Northern Australian waters. This restlessness is aggravated by the persistent rumours which gain currency from time to time, and which in spite of their uncertain origin, cannot but help to disturb the public peace of mind. Australia to-day is literally demanding to know more of the. facts of the war which is being fought so dangerously close to her northern shores, and in view of her sacrifices and her undoubted war effort, she is surely entitled to it. And if Australia feels the necessity for a broader release of war news and a greater degree of confidence in her masses, surely we in New Zealand have a right to make the same demand. From what we have been able to glean between evasive communiques, smugly worded newsreels and confident commentaries, the Japanese are not merely a power still to be reckoned with in the: South Pacific, but they are also a growing force, being steadily built up along a set line of island fortifications. Is this all being done for nothing—by an Island Empire of fanatical fighters which is now fully aware that the time: factor is all against its plans for conquest? Surely not)! Undoubtedly the string of Japanese bases flung across the Pacific from the pivot point of New Guinea, can be but for one thing—the extension of conquest southwards be;fore the joint force of America and Great Britain can be brought to bear against her. The danger has not been averted by dint of the smashing naval victories gained by the American fleet. It has merely been postponed and meanwhile our enemies have succeeded in so consolidating themselves, that once more the threat of invasion to Australia is being glibly spoken of by press and radio. 'Give us the facts' is tke cry of the Australian people today and just as surely as they are entitled to know, so are we in the sister Dominion, so entitled. How futile to suppose for one moment that Japan after a few minor reverses in the Solomons, is willing to declare herself worst ed in that sphere. The proud arrogant nation pf the deified Mikado, will come: again and again—stronger on each successive occasion. Her fleet is still the third greatest in the world. Her ten million warriors are renouned fighting men. Her great weakness however lies in her shattered air strength but this must not be allowed to mislead us, in our assessment of her striking power against the limited means at the disposal of Great Britain's Australasian Colonies, nor is the recent statement by the Prime Minister of New Zealand anent the shooting of 48 Japanese prisoners of war in a New Zealand prison camp, likely to make the revengeful Nipponese any the more kindly disposed towards the people of this Dominion.