Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1942. CLEARING THE WAR OUTLOOK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 January 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1942. CLEARING THE WAR OUTLOOK

\ GOOD many people in this country will share the hope r expressed by British newspapers that Mr Churchill, now that he has returned from Ids mission to the United States and resumed control, will, as a message received yesterday put it, “immediately set to work unravelling various tangles which some critics assert are complicating the war effort.”

‘Whether “the desire for some form of Empire ‘War Cabinet” is as insistent and as important as other passages in the same message suggested may be doubted. What is needed is rather a lead which will clear uj), as far as that is possible, existing elements of uncertainty and obscurity and enable the nation as a whole, in the Mother Country and in the overseas Empire, to feel that its energies are being directed to the best advantage in coping with war problems and demands in the new, and in some particulars the rather perplexing shape, these have now assumed.

There is, of course, no question of expecting Mi* Churchill or anyone else to charm away with magic words the dangers and difficulties that have developed menacingly, particularly in the Pacific, since Japan entered the war. Neither is any very useful, purpose obviously to be served by starting a hunt after scapegoats with reference to unduly optimistic predictions and pronouncements made before the event by some political and military leaders.

The debate on the general war situation to take place shortly in the House of Commons may be expected to serve its best purpose in opening the way to vigorous action, based on whatever readjustments in outlook and plan the changed situation may demand. Criticism of our war leadership 'will haic little point save in the extent to which it is able to show that there has been a failure to make effective use of available resources. Where a measure of failure and weakness has resulted from an actual shortage of resources, the only remedy is in increased and intensified effort. Mr Churchill has habitually been so careful to avoid awakening or encouraging false optimism that there need be no doubt about full confidence in his ability to lead the nation in meeting whatever demands are now made upon it in the Pacific and elsewhere. The British Prime Minister’s insistence at all times on the grim realities of the war gives added-weight and value to his brief observation in the House of Commons on Tuesday that: — Although he naturally shared the anxieties felt about the course of events in the Far East, he also shared the growing confidence, which he thought was justified, in the eventual outcome of the struggle. The hope naturally is entertained in this country and in Australia, that the Empire and its Allies ■will be able before long effectively to check the Japanese onslaught, in the Pacific, though full-powered and decisive attack on the Far Eastern aggressor may have to be deferred for a time. Nothing is to be gained, however, by attempting to ignore the almost overwhelming demands made meantime on the total resources of the Empire in a war that now girdles the globe. AH that can be asked is that, even where difficulties are greatest, no practicable effort to stem aggression shall be spared. To the combination of effort thus demanded our own country and others menaced in. the Pacific evidently must be prepared to make the greatest contribution in their power.