“NO TIME FOR LOAFING”

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23412, 20 August 1941, Page 6

“NO TIME FOR LOAFING”

Mr Coates Emphasises Need For Upity

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 19. The imperative need for unity of purpose and effort in the present struggle against oppression was emphasised by the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates at a reception given him last night by the National Club,

“We cannot afford to loaf,” he declared. “If the United States is giving us assistance that is so much the greater reason why we should be called upon to do more than we have done yet. It is up to each of us to see how much we can do. Never mind the other fellow. If sufficient people resolve to put in a greater effort, that example will take the others along with you.” Mr Coates gave a warning to those who were inclined to take too optimistic a view of things. There were some, be said, who thought that Hitler would bog down in Russia and that it was an accomplished fact. It was not. The outlook to-day was just as serious as ever it was.

•. Those who argued that Britain and the United States were turning out tremendous quantities of ammunition and other war equipment—as they were—should not lose sight of the fact that Hitler had captured factories in over-run Europe that could for the’ time being match the. resources pitted against him, added Mr Coates,

■ “I think there is far too much politics talked in these days,” he said. “That applies to all parties. There is a greater thing required today than any one political faith, and that is a common faith. We owe it to ourselves and to our families.

“What will happen if war breaks out in the East? I think it will make us realise the need for standing together, no matter what our politics are or what creed we follow. What concerns me is how best we can weld opinion in this country to face the issue to-day. We have to show the mettle of which we are made and we can do it only by helping one another.”