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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 1, No. 16 July 20, 1938

Whither?

Whither?

Dear "Salient."

That's the stuff to give 'em.

Just received your March 16th issue. Judging by the illegible writing outside it may have been sent by one Aimers. Noticing a complimentary letter from him in the correspondence column and in view of our long association together on "Smad" and later as "Smad's" hecklers-in-chief. I feel bound to join publicly with him in welcoming your readable. Interesting paper. Definitely, the right idea.

At the same time I want to draw attention to your leading article, "Whither Britain." You suggest that the British Government has abandoned the League Idea and is sacrificing its ideals to Fascism. And you add that "the general opinion (in England), no doubt, will be that instead of telling Halifax to go to Hitler, Hitler should be told to go to Halifax."

At first glance you are quite right. But glance again.

Italy and Germany have abandoned the League Idea of settling disputes on the basis of Justice. That's obvious. Germany is 80% mobilized, You can see that for yourself if you go there. So if you're going to tell Hitler to go to Halifax you must be prepared for the consequences. And Britain is not prepared. Britain is still at the tinkering stage with Air Raid Precautions. London is practically at the mercy of a fleet of enemy bombers, in Berlin alone they can already deal with 30,000 casualties a day. And Berlin is not vital to Germany. But London is vital to England. Eight million people; seat of government: vital hub of England, Is it reasonable to expect a Government to take a step that might involve war knowing that the nation might be crippled in the first few days? I think not The Italians had a saying: "Italy tweaked the British lion's tall and it opened its mouth mid showed its raise teeth." And that seems to be the position. Britain is playing for time. Time is the important factor. Sacrifices have had to be made and may still have to be made. It's only when you get over here that you begin to realise the position. After all any German knows what to do and where to go if there's an air raid. We don't—yet. Is it common sense to risk one when you know you're not prepared? And preparation takes time in a democracy. Of course it would be comparatively easy under a dictatorship. But I guess you don't want that!

So my advice to you is not to Judge too harshly yet.

Bear your souls in patience. The time for judgment will come when the Prime Minister can look round and say: "London is 75% prepared. The seat of government can be moved. We've a million trained air raid wardens. We've thousands of shelters. All the main centres can be evacuated. The food supply is assured. The Mr. Force is adequate."

Then your call for a firm stand will not be an ineffective. Inhuman, or ignorant bleat

—Yours, etc.,

J. Nesbitt Sellers.

Liverpool.