WORST MOMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 153, 29 June 1940, Page 9

WORST MOMENT.

FOR PEACE PARLEYS.

Mr. Chamberlain Refutes American Reports.

HITLER'S "TOUGH" JOB.

United Press Association —Copyright. (Received 10.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, June 28. The American Press features a copyright United Press interview with Mr. Chamberlain which, it is reported, is not available in London. "We are just beginning the struggle. This is the worst possible moment to enter peace negotiations, just when Hitler seems to hold all the cards," said Mr. Chamberlain. "We do not believe he holds all the cards are going to put that to the test. I know that no section of the Conservative party wants peac*. We are absolutely united." Mr. Chamberlain waved aside reports that Sir Samuel Hoare suggested that General Franco should sound out Hitler for peace terms, and denied American reports of differences with Mr. Churchill. "Most emphatically there is no word of truth in those reports. Our relations are harmonious and cordial and our minds run in the same channel," he said. If he resigned the Conservative leadership the party would unhesitatingly elect Mr. Churchill. Mr. Chamberlain added that he had no intention of resigning. Rumours of Intrigue Ridiculed. Mr. Chamberlain heatedly ridiculed foreign reports that he was intriguing against Mr. ChurchilL "I have been scoffed at for saying so, but I still believe time is on our side. Hitler fe gambling on a short war. He is not sure of his own people's morale if they have to go through another war-time winter, but to win he must conquer this island.

"That is a formidable undertaking requiring reckless audacity. He will be rash if he tries, but I "think he will try. He will find us a tough nut to cracktoo tough. * We have the fighting spirit in this country, and we are not only fighting for ourselves feel ourselves trustees of civilisation. i Germans Have Not Civilisation. "The Germans have not civilisation; it is medieval barbarism. We are not going to disgrace our ancestors by allowing that to sweep the world." Mr. Chamberlain agreed that the tempo of the British war preparations had increased since May 10. "But Hitler is the chief factor in that. I always knew we would not get 100 per cent of effort here until bombs started falling. By invading Belgium and Holland Hitler changed the war from static to dynamic. "Every workman suddenly realised that the necessary supplies depended on his individual efforts. The man at the bench, if he puts his all into his work, does more than any Government or | Minister in speeding up production."

MOBILE CANTEEN.

Purchase For Use By N.Z. Troops In Britain.

FORMER BRITISH Y.M. HUT. (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, June 28. Mr. W. J. Jordan, New Zealand High Commissioner, took delivery of a mobile canteen which the New Zealand War Services Association purchased from the British Y.M.C.A. at a cost of £400. The canteen will be attached to the New' Zealand Y.M.OA. unit, under the field secretary, Mr. George Briggs, which accompanied the Anzaes to Britain. The canteen will accompany troops on route marches and manoeuvres. It was delivered outside New Zealand House and the traffic was held up while Mr. Jordan inspected the canteen. Mrs. Percy Chapman, wife of the Test cricketer, Mr. A. P. F. Chapman, and a daughter of Mr. T. H. Lowry, of Hawke's Bay, handed out cups of tea to Mr. Jordan and numbers of New Zealanders who are on leave in London. Mrs. Chapman later drove the canteen to the New Zealanders' camp, where it is hoped to build up a fleet of canteens. Both Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are then expected to join the New Zealand unit.