BRITAIN IS LAST BASTION OF EUROPE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 144, 19 June 1940, Page 7

BRITAIN IS LAST BASTION OF EUROPE.

LABOUR'S STAND.

Unbreakable Strength To

Stop Tyrants.

WAR OF LIBERATION. British Official Wireless. (Received 1,30 p.m.) RUGBY, June 18. After. a meeting of the National Council of Labour to-day the following statement »was issued:—"The British Trade Union La~bour and Co-operative Movement pays a heartfelt tribute to the people of France for their heroic struggle against overwhelming odds.

"A great ordeal now lies before, the British people. The full weight of the enemy is now certain to fall upon us. We stand as the last bastion in Europe against the menace of tyranny. Let us meet the test with calm and resolution. What is at stake ie not only our national existence, but also the hope of civilisation all over the world.

"To us has been given the proud privilege of sustaining this hiope in the darkest hours Europe has ever known. Wo know countless millions of subjugated peoples, now under the sway of dictators, are with Uβ in spirit and arc. only awaiting the opportunity for action.

"The Labour movement has full confidence that all its members will give their utmost in every Held of produc-

tion, energy and effort for which this crisis calls. We are. defending our liberty. We are fighting for our principles.

The price of victory is courage to endure. The secret of success ie that unending, dogged resistance that is our inheritance. Let it be displayed now in unbreakable etrength. Let us show the tyrants of Germany and Italy that the will of the common people of Britain is beyond their power of destruction.

"Our eailors and airmen have displayed matchless courage and resolution. Every man and woman in our movement is now a soldier in, this war for the liberation of humanity."