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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 5, No. 5. July 2, 1942

To-day and To-morrow

To-day and To-morrow

Tobruk has fallen, the Commons are in revolt, Sebastopol is besieged, a New War Administration controls New Zealand, the Chinese have made important gains, Mr. Churchill is in Washington, the Headline News from London, a Second Front in 1942. Against this background I am writing a few lines to Victoria's many students overseas. This issue of "Salient" is about yourselves, whether you are in Egypt, Syria, Canada, or Great Britain. You may be serving in the Army, the Navy, or the Air Force. We are all eager to know how you are, where you are, and what you are doing, and the common question is, "Had any word from so and so lately?" Above all, we like to hear what you are thinking, what are your ideas, your hopes for the future.

Some, I know, would like to return to New Zealand, for they feel that their homeland is in more urgent need of their services, others because danger threatens those who are near to them. New Zealand, I can assure them, is well prepared to stand any attack that may come, and has already achieved the reputation of the most mobilised dominion of the British Commonwealth. Every week we become stronger, and the additional influx of supplies from the United States will supplement New Zealand's already formidable defence forces.

And remember, fellow students overseas, that you and your comrades, wherever you strike at the Axis, are striking a blow for the defence of New Zealand, a blow for freedom and democracy. The subjugated peoples of Europe look to you for the fulfilment of the Atlantic Charter, for "that peace which will afford to all nations the means of dwelling in safety within their own boundaries, and which will ensure that the men in all lands may live out their lives in freedom from fear and want."

We have implicit confidence, that despite incompetence in politicians and high commands, the day is not far distant when we will be able to raise our glasses to the victory of the United Nations and the destruction of fascism.