Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1942. ANOTHER YEAR OF EFFORT AND HOPE.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 December 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1942. ANOTHER YEAR OF EFFORT AND HOPE.

this time last year, New Zealand, hi company with its X Empire partners and Allies, was bracing itself for the increased war effort demanded by the addition of Japan to the list of our enemies—an event that seemed more than likely, as one of its consequences, to bring the war to our doors. Although the conflict in the Pacific was then only a few weeks old, Japan liacl already made appreciable headway in what was destined to become a campaign of extended conquest of outlying Empire, American, and Netherlands territories. The position as it then stood was faced with grim resolution and with an unshaken confidence in the ultimate outcome which the events of the past year have gone far to justify.

It is true that the opening of another year finds Japan still in possession of great areas of Allied, territory, hut for months past she has made no new headway and in a number of instances has been, defeated signally, with heavy and disproportionate losses particularly of her naval, and air forces, in attempts to extend her aggression and press it to a point ol cision. As the Prime Minister (Air Fraser) says in his New Year message:—•

The outlook today, especially for us here in the Pacific, is more hopeful than it was a year ago, and provided we of the United Nations maintain our efforts at their maximum point of energy and efficiency, the position will inevitably continue to improve.

Thanks to the expanding power of the United Nations, which at length enables them to take the offensive on a scale that will, ascend rapidly, the position and outlook in the Pacific, as well, as in the war'at large, are vastly better than. Urey were a yearago. The need for vigorous and ungrudging effort has, however, increased and not diminished. It is plainly the 1 rime Minister’s duty, as he has said, to call again lor sacrifice and for further efforts from all sections of the community and there should be a loyal and ready response to Mr Fraser’s declaration that: —<

For us in New Zealand the year ahead must be one in which we will need to strain every nerve and extend every resource m the furtherance of our country’s war effort.

If concentration against the Axis in Europe—where both the Russians and the Allied forces in North Africa are now developing attacks of great promise—is destined for a time to delay full-powered Allied action in the Pacific, it is and will be so much the 'more necessary that the most should be made of resources meantime available on this side of the world. Whatever .may be thought of the varying estimates that are put forward of Japan’s power and resources, it is evidently of the highest importance that she should be given as little opportunity as possible of developing and exploiting her conquests or of reorganising in her home territory.

In the circumstances by which we are faced the carefree greetings and good wishes it is our national custom to exchange at the turn of the year are not entirely appropriate, lliere is still, demanded of us, as a community, the maximum war effort of which, we are capable. A part of the price of that effort has been andAvill continue to be paid in gallant lives and inan extension of the shadow of tragedy and sorrow over many New Zealand homes. Yet as we cross the threshold of another year we may be well content. We have taken and shall follow to the end the only course worthy of a free people, determined not only to safeguard the future of our own country and its coming generations, but to give what help we may towards making the world a better and happier place for all mankind.