CHEERY LETTER

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13243, 20 January 1941, Page 2

CHEERY LETTER

BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS FIRM’S COMMUNICATION

BUSINESS AS USUAL

The Mann Hardware. Lid., have received the following letter from their agents in Birmingham. It is typical ~of the British spirit, and makes good reading: “Hoping that this may reach you about the appropriate season, we are writing to convey our best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. “Although 1940 has been a tryingyear for all of us. we still have much to be thankful for. In common with others in this area, we have had pur share of attention from enemy bombers, but our premises are still intact. and we are still able to carry on our business much as usual. Our staff, in spite of sleepless nights and narrow escapes, have responded magnificently. Two are now serving in the Royal Air Force, and the remainder are engaged in Home Guard A.R.P. and other work after business hours. Though there are unavoidable delays in transport and communications from time to time, the Public Services are being efficiently maintained, even in the worst bombed areas, and considering the enormous effort the enemy has made to cripple us. the damage done has had very little effect on our war effort. Damaged buildings are quickly repaired, and shopkeepers affected, are displaying such notices as ‘reopening shortly,’ ‘Bombed but not Beaten.’ etc. There are ample supplies of food, clothing and other necessities. “Back in summer, when the French collapsed and. invasion was imminent, things looked very black for a time, but thanks mainly to the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, this threat has been largely nullified, and there is growing confidence that we now hold the mastery not only at sea, but in the air, and it will not be long before we shall be> able to carry the offensive still further into the enemy’s territory. “Our export and import trade is, of course, of vital importance, and everything possible is being done to increase it, as it is only by selling goods abroad, that we can pay for raw materials and other essential needs. Every pound’s worth of goods, therefore, that you can order from England, is a direct contribution to victory, and the more you can send us, the sooner we shall be able to achieve it.

“In conclusion, let us hope that 19 41 may see a successful issue of the present conflict, and a new era opening up in world affairs.”