BRITAIN READY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 144, 19 June 1940, Page 6

BRITAIN READY.

While France vaits to hear the fate that Hitler and Mussolini design for her, a fate which her Government may not accept, and, in any event, will not be final, Mr. Churchill has spoken for Britain. A speech by Mr. Churchill is worth many regiments, and even seveiai bombing 'planes. He appeals to reason as well as to emotion: he is candid; anjl he speaks in terms Avhich everybody can understand. Yesterday he did not merely reaffirm that Britain, alone, will hold out; he gave substantial reasons to convince his listeners that Britain has the material means, as well as the courage and the faith, which will enable her to hold out. He said, frankly, that he and his countrymen face, and are close to, a terrible ordeal, but they will not face it, as Holland and Belgium did, without formidable weapons and distinctive advantages. The first distinctive advantage, of course, is the simple fact of the existence of the English Channel. Second is the great advantage that Britain is forewarned of Xazi intentions and of Nazi tactics. To counter those tactics she possesses an incomparable Navy, anti-aircraft defences, both on ground and in the air, which are superior to those of any other country and an Army much larger than any which she had had on her own soil before. To these forces should be added the various and large volunteer organisations. Nothing of all this ensures that England will or can be immune, either from air attack (some bombers will always get through) or, in particular circumstances, from attempted invasion. Hitler knows that however great the victories he may win on the Continent he will not be secure while England is unconquered—and he will make the attempt. But Mr. Churchill's well-reasoned speech heightens the calm confidence that the attempt, and even repeated and sustained attempts, will fail, and that the day will come when Britain will be able to strike back with decisive force.