ROAD TO VICTORY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 134, 18 March 1940, Page 5

ROAD TO VICTORY.

“VERY LONG AND ROUGH” t '.

BUT, DEFEAT MEANS RUIN.

LONDON, Maibh 10. Sir Archibald Sinclair (leader of the Liberal Party), in a broadcast address stated that there would be a very long, rough and painful journey to victory, and he appealed for voluntary sacrifices from tho British peoples over and above the restrictions and taxation imposed by Parliament. “Behind a deceptive appearance of quietness,” he said, “lies the reality of a gigantic conflict.” In speaking of events in Finland, he said that the Russians had dropped the pretence that they were fighting to liberate the Finns, and now ignored the existence of the “ridiculous Communist group’ ’ whom Stalin had hitherto described as the legitimate government of Finland. But Stalin’s increased imperialistic demands had been backed by Germany, with threats joining in the invasion of Finland if they were rejected. In describing the Swedish and Noi’wegian surrender to German threats as a “triumph of evil force over moral weakness,” Sir Archibald said that the only way to preserve freedom and the rule of law in the world was for the nations who believe' in these things to stand together in their defence and fight hard. The war, he added, coulcl not be won by sitting down passively. Munich proved,* that Hitler would not keep any agreement one day longer than, it suited him ‘.‘lf wo now sue for pqace he would dispense to France and Britain the samp 'justice, tligt he is giving tho Czechs, and Poles. If. a man with Hitler’s record has interest in justice it can only be to*escape it. .. . i'. “Defeat would mean our ruin and the loss of our freedom. Victory would give ns opportunity—an opportunity to heal the scars and ravages of war, an opportunity to break down the harriers to commerce’, which impoverished the nations before the war', .ah .ppppi-tuhity to create a llew workl order on a hasis of justice and freedom, and an opportunity to establish a lasting.'peace,-that prize which only,, constructive statesmanship can win.” —• British, Official Wireless. .. .

TRADE UNIONS AND WAR. NEGOTIATIONS WITH GOVERN- - MENT. / . . LONDON, March 16. _ In reviewing six months’ experience of dealings between the trade unions and the British Government, Sir Walter Citrine, general secretary, of tho Trades Union Congress, told a Durham demonstration that tho, war policy of the congress had been fully justified. Without tho loss of freedom and without sacrificing their position or independence the trade unions had been able both to safeguard the workers and' to identify themselves wholeheartedly with- the national effort for the defence of liberty and for the enforcement of international law. The trade unions, lie added, had established the right to be heard on'all questions of war policy and consultations with Government departments and employers’ organisations had been directed wholly to the. development of the nation’s resources for successfully prosecuting the war. —British Official Wireless.