TRIBUTE TO FINNS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 71, 25 March 1940, Page 7

TRIBUTE TO FINNS.

STRUGGLE FOR RIGHT. Foreign Minister Expresses British Admiration. HOPES FOR NATION'S FUTURE. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, March 24. A message from Viscount Halifax to the Finnish people was included m the 8.8.C. Finnish news bulletin to-mght. The Foreign Secretary said: '-There is no people I would more gladly address than the brave Finnish nation which fought so gallantly for the ideals and aims for which we too in the British Empire have takoii up arms—the right of each nation, however small, to live its own life, secure against aggression from powerful neighbours. "If others had shared Finland's determination to resist evil and harbarism in the only possible way now left to civilisation—by force of arms —the citizens of our two countries would now have been fighting side by side in a common cause. '"The message I wish to send you is not only one of sympathy in* your present time of great trouble, but "also in tribute to your courage in past months, and of hope and faith that in the future it may be fullv rewarded.

'"Although your Government decided to accept the terms imposed by the Soviet Government, your army remained undefeated at the last and" the spirit and skill of your soldiers have won the admiration of this country."