CHURCHILL TRIUMPH IN SCOTTISH CITIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 152, 29 June 1945, Page 5

CHURCHILL TRIUMPH IN SCOTTISH CITIES

TUMULTUOUS SCENES

Glasgow Crowd Stampedes To Get Near Him

N.Z. Press Association—Copyright

Rec. 12.30 p.m.

LONDON, .June 28

"I shall never again see a scene like this. The memory of it will last as long as I live," said Mr. Churchill when, with tears in his eyes, he thanked a crowd of 20,000 people in Edinburgh, including New Zealand, Australian, American and Polish servicemen, for their cordial demonstration of friendship. Mr. Churchill, who looked tired, urged his hearers to quit talking about isms and ideologies until more urgent tasks had been accomplished.

Glasgow gave Mr. Churchill the most tumultuous welcome of his tour. A crowd of over 10,000, after his speech in Blythswood Square, in which he praised Scotch courage and quality, stampeded wildly to get near him as he was leaving. The police were over-run and only a prompt getaway by the Prime Minister's chauffeur prevented almost certain casualties.

"Scotland played an enormous part in the war/' said Mr. Churchill in his speech. "Scots' bravery and discipline were admired by officers and generals of all the armies alongside whom they served. Scots' deeds will re-echo through the ages." The Premier told the Scots that, whichever side won, his supporters would support the Government in the prosecution of the war against Japan in the interests of Britain's national safety and honour. "But you can't expect me to stand aside in this election," he proceeded. "I have been both a Liberal and a Conservative and there is l'.ttle difference to-day between them, but I have never agreed with the Socialist policy, which I believe would strike at the self-reliance which is the hallmark of our nation, especially the northern part. I remember Lloyd George saying, 'The Scots have got only one bad fault—there are too few of them.'" '

The Prime Minister's reference to his visit to the famous 51st Highland Division at the front evoked tremendous cheering. Mr. Churchill emphasised Britain's determination to stand by America. "Our two countries," he declared, "are ever united by the blessed bond of kinship and fellowship."