STATE OF WAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 209, 12 June 1940, Page 2

STATE OF WAR

NEW ZEALAND AND ITALY. PROCLAMATION ISSUED. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, June 11. New Zealand was at war with Italy from 10.30 a.m. to-day. Advice that Italy had declared war on Britain and France was received by the New Zealand Government from the Imperial authorities at 6 a.m. to-day. The Cabinet met two hours later and during the morning a proclamation was issued*containing New Zealand’s declaration of war on Italy. The proclamation, which is signed by the Governor-General (Lord Galway), reads as follows : ‘/His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral has it in command from his Majesty the King to declare that a state of war exists between his Majesty and the King of Italy, and that such a state of war has existed from 10.30 a.m. New Zealand standard time on June 11.”

Long hours have been observed by the Cabinet during the last few days, and a meeting of the Ministry which, began at 8 p.m. on Monday did not fimsh until 2 o’clock this morning.

The meeting after the announcement of Italy’s entry into the war on the side of Germany was pi’esided over by the Prime Minister (the Hon. F. Fraser). He had intended to visit Palmerston North to-day to open the Msinawatu winter show; but in view of developments in the international situation ho remained in Weifington and his nine-’ w?-s taken by the Minister for Lands (the Hon. F. Langstone). Message to Britain. The following message has been sent by Mr Fraser to the British Government : “In view of the official intimation that the King of Italy will consider himself at war with Britain and France from midnight on June 10, the existence of a state of war with Italy has been proclaimed here as from the equivalent time, namely, 10.30 a.m. New Zealand standard time, and liis Majesty’s Government in New Zealand will he grateful if such steps as are necessary may be taken to indicate to the Italian Government that the No v Zealand Government associates itself in this matter with the British Government and the French Government.

“This cynical, cold-blooded attack by Italy, at a moment plainly chosen in the belief that it will afford the maximum embarrassment to Allied arms, a;.d in the hope, which we know will be dispelled, that it will result in an easy triumph and prompt gains for Italy, will call forth here, as elsewhere throughout the Commonwealth and in those countries that are banded together to resist .aggression, the strongest feelings of indignation. “The New Zealand Government, at this moment, wishes to renew in the fullest measure its assurance of its firm determination and that of the people of this Dominion to assist by every means within its power until iue i> ounce of ruthless and unprincipled aggression has been finally and completely destroyed.”