"Where's that Bomb?"

Mr. Perry thought that a territorial army was sure to be the main line of defence for New Zealand. A country is not conquered "until the last man is dug, out with a bayonet from the last trench." The crowd keenly relished this piece of realistic description. But he then proceeded to prove quite conclusively that the Japanese could lay off the coast and bomb towns to smithereens. What of the land army? Where was the defence to come in? We all wondered.

We are still wondering. If defence means compulsory military training, we are, in imitation of the Totalitarian states, instituting the first measure of Fascism. But will it end there? "Fascism is what we are up against," said Mr. Perry, "and they are going to be hard to beat."

Hysterical women with umbrellas, and fervent brass bands, women's auxiliary committees, do not appeal to our idea of defence.

—D.S.