MANY MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 192, 14 August 1940, Page 8

MANY MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY.

TRIBUTES PAID. Loss To Empire And Allied Cause. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Reed, noon.) LONDON', Aug. 13.

Mr. Churchill, in the House of Commons, referred to the death of the Australian Cabinet Ministers and high officers in the air crash. He said: "We have all been shocked and grieved by the news of the lamentable and untimely loss Australia, and, indeed, the whole Empire and its cause has suffered. "The sudden removal of these able, resolute men from the centre summit, of war direction in Australia has inflicted an injury upon us which I can be at no pains to conceal. "In Mr. Street, Mr. Fairbairn, Sir Henry Gullett, and Lieutenant-General Sir Brudenell White Australia has been j robbed of some of her beet and ablest sons, at a moment when, the gifts they had to offer were most precious. "The House will wish to extend sympathy to the families and friends and to Mr. Menzies, whose burden is already heavy, arid, in so doing, we shall give voice to the sorrow which in so many lands will be felt by all to whom the cause of freedom is dear. "In this hour of battle there will be one other thought equally spontaneous and equally widespread—close the ranks and carry on." The Dominions Secretary, Lord Caldecote, broadcast on behalf of the Government and people of the United Kingdom sympathy with the Government and people of Australia in the grievous loss of Ministers and others, whose work will not be wasted but carried on until final victory. "It is difficult," he said, "to find words to express our sorrow and distress in the face of such a blow. We mourn the death not only of distinguished statesmen and soldiers, but of men who personally were well known here and close friends to many of us." Mr. Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, telephoned Sir Thomas Glasgow, Australian High Commissioner in Canada, the sympathy of himself and his Cabinet, recalling that Mr. Fairbairn was sworn in at Ottawa, says a message from the Canadian capital. Sorrow in America. The Australian Minister to Washington, Mr. K. G. Casey, speaking of the disaster, said: "This is a great disaster to Australia and to me personally. These men were all my lifelong friends. Their leadership, knowledge and experience will be very hard to replace. They will be mourned as men as and servants of Australia." The United States Minister to Australia, Mr. C. E. Gauss, is conveying official sympathy. Mr. Casey's telephone has been engages all day long with messages from embassies, legations and American officials.

I SERVED EMPIRE. Mr. Churchill On Australian Ministers. MESSAGE OF SYMPATHY. British Official Wireless. (Reed. 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Aug. 13. A message of sympathy has been telegraphed by the Prime Minister, Mr. Churchill, to Mr. Menzies, Australian Prime Minister, in connection with the disastrous air accident. The message concludes: "We know how sorely you in Australia will miss them. The loss is ours, too, for we have learnt by personal acquaintance, and by our knowledge, what they achieved, and how great has beeji their contribution, not only to Australia, but to the whole Empire."