NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 282, 27 August 1942, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

■Portugal's message of “fraternal esteem, moral solidarity, and sincere emotion'’ to Brazil on her entry into the war against Germany and Italy is a reminder of the ancient affiliations between the two countries. The discovery and early settlement of this great, area on the South American continent, was an historic episode in the development of Portuguese colonial expansion in. the .sixteenth century. Its political development since then was first as a colony, later us an independent empire (1822-1889). and latterly as a republic, constituted, in 1891. During the first Morld IS ar Brazilian sympathies were with the Allies, and the republic later entered the war on their side from the same provocation as that which has brought her once again into the arena, namely, German attacks on Brazilian shipping. Tin's was in 1917. Participation in that war consisted in the dispatch of part of the Brazilian fleet to-European waters, and of a medical mission and a number of airmen to the Western Eront, but her most valuable contribution then, as it is likely to be now, was the placing of food supplies and other resources unreservedly at the disposal of the Allies

President Roosevelt has.sent more than one special representative overseas. but the entrusting of a mission to his former the presidency, Mr. Wendell IVillkie, must surely establish a precedent. It will demonstrate, in the clearest possible manner, that there is no division in the American ranks with regard to the prosecution of the war. This proposed round of visits recalls that of Mr. Sumner Welles to Europe some rime ago. Mr. Welles went to discuss the issues with the leaders of tin Axis Powers and with Great' Britain. Those were the days when the British Empire stood alone. Mr. Welles visited Rome and Berlin before going to London, and it. is evidence of rhe change that has come over the scene that Mr. Willkic will see neither the Fuehrer nor the Dnce. Instead he will call on the leaders of Allied peoples all round the world., as the personal representative of the head of a powerful ally. The tour will include China. Russia, and the Middle East, and it is not being made simply ro acquire information. Mr. Willkie is to explain America's efforts ami intentions, to tell the truth about American unity and production, anil to encourage those who are lighting for freedom. As a forceful and efficient speaker he should lie able to do valuable work, and as one opposed to President Roosevelt in politics the tour may do something to convince the enemy that American policy is not likely to undergo any marked change as far as the war effort is concerned.

Two apparent handicaps to the recruitment, of women for l lie armed forces have been at least partly removed by the Minister of National Service. His assurance that in reasonable cases women will not lie obliged to serve "for the duration of the war ami 12 months thereafter’ 1 ' should allay doubts which have been in the minds of wives of servicemen. Similarly, younger women and their parents will find encouragement in the promise that, wherever possible girls will be jxistcd in their own districts and uoi be compelled io abide by their formal undertaking to servo anywhere in New Zealand. In addition to dealing with these points, Mr. Broadfoot replied at length to a suggestion that, each women's auxiliary organization should conduct its own recruiting campaign. He pointed out—no doubt, rigidly—that the problem of women-power for the Services was one to be tackled as a whole in order to avoid surpluses in some branches find shortages in others. But what seems to be in the minds of those who advocate separate or competitive recruiting is that the national campaign 1h stereotyped and lacking in vigorous mipeal. The results to date support that contention. While It may be better to conduct recruiting In a national way, it is certainly not conducive to the best results to limit, it to formal appeals ami displays stamped with the dreary mark of officialdom. Bright, imaginative ideas are needed, and are likely to be forthcoming from the women's services themselves. They should lie encouraged and incorporated in the general campaign.