EMPIRE’S WAR EFFORT

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23916, 7 April 1943, Page 4

EMPIRE’S WAR EFFORT

AUSTRALIA AND CANADA GREEK KING’S TRIBUTE TO NEW ZEALANDERS Before Mr L. W. Brockington, K.C., Empire adviser to the British Ministry of Information, left London on a visit to the Dominions, he received a letter from the chamberlain to the King of Greece. In it the King paid tribute to the services of the New Zealanders in Greece and Crete. King George was aware, of course, that Mr Brockington intended visiting New Zealand, and he wished him to say in what affection our soldiers were held by the Greeks.

Furthermore, Mr Brockington told a representative gathering of Christchurch soldiers at luncheon on Monday, that no fewer than 17,000 Greeks were now fighting with the New Zealanders in Tunisia. “The King is very proud of the fact that his men are again associated with the New Zealanders,” he said.

Both the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews), who presided, and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland. M.P.), who proposed a vote of thanks, referred to Mr Brockington’s address as one of the most inspiring they had ever heard. The Canadian visitor seated himself casually in front of a microphone, and, with racy anecdote, traversed the war effort in his own country and in Australia, recalled the “amazing solidarity” of the English and Scots under the blitzing, and, incidentally, paid a tribute to Canterbury, which, he said, recalled the English countryside he had known as a youth. Mr Brockington proved himself one of the most genial and effective speakers Christchurch citizens had heard for many a day. Hope for the Future There was no need for any of the Dominions to feel ashamed of its war effort, declared the visitor, who said that, in all, it had been a magnificent achievement for pioneering people, who were determined to maintain at all costs a decent standard of living. "Our broadcasting has been effective," said Mr Brockington, "because it has been truthful. Each day a message of hope goes out to the enslaved peoples. There has been no more effective weapon in this war. “It seems to me that the more people suffer, the more they are able to contend with,” he commented, “and the more cheerful they become, and so are able to face the future. The people of Britain are absolutely solid. They are not only loyal to themselves, but loyal to the best traditions of the race. . Today Britain is united as never before. Suffering has brought out what is best in our folk. A great compassion has come over the people. As class distinctions have simply disappeared, I think this is all for the good.” The average Englishman was not only working for victory, he added, but was equally determined that there should be a just peace. It was apparent that the British people had a great admiration for the Russians. "Not that they have any wish to change the existing political institutions,” he said, “but for the Russians as a people—a people who have found something for which they are prepared to live and, when the necessity arises, to die.”

The King and Queen

Mr Brockington said that this common loyalty among British people was symbolised by “that very modest gentleman and compassionate lady who are known as the King and Queen.” He recalled their visit to Canada just before the war, at a time when the whole world was restless, when dictators were scowling across the frontiers. “This visit evoked one of the most remarkable demonstrations of public affection in history,” he said.

“Suddenly the King and Queen, who.se features had been familiar only to the people through stamps and corns, were moving -among them on that magic journey, unairaid. The effects ol that visit cannot be exaggerated. It was an extraordinary demonstration in every way.” Later, when Mr Brockington met the King and wueen at Buckingham Palace, they told him how, in lue darkest days of the war, they had recalled those journeys, not only to Canada, but also to New Zealand and Australia, and they were buoyed with hope lor the future. "To-day, as always, they are doing their duty magnihcenlly,” he said, “moving like any ordinary man and woman through the lengih and breadth of the land in perfect safety among the poorest of the pocr.” As an example of what had been achieved in recent times in Australia, Mr Brockington said that the Commonwealth now had 750,000 men under arms, 400,000 of whom were ready to serve anywhere. More than 200 government munitio. lactorics had been established, and the Australians, were also producing guns, aeroplanes, and tanks. The latter had been modified by colonial genius to suit the peculiar conditions of Pacific warfare. No fewer than 800,000 men were now working in Australian tactories. Mr Brockington said he had been most impressed by the fine fighting qualities of the Australians, and their keen spirit.

Canadian resources, of course, were greater than those of either Australia or New Zealand. Mines, factories, and forests had all been utilised to the fullest possible extent. Trade was at its peak. Two hundred thousand men were overseas. In addition, Canada now had a navy of 500 ships, in which Were serving 50,000 men. Many of these naval men came from mixed races, and not a few of them were from the prairies. , , Last year Canada produced £650,000,000 worth of munitions and £250,000,000 worth of foodstuffs. A free gift of 1,000.000,000 dollars had been made to Britain, and this year there would be a similar gift to the United Nations. Cargo ships of 10.000 tonnage were being put down every four days.. . , , „ „ "These are but a few facts. Mr Brockington concluded. “Doubtless, after I have been here a little longer, I will have accumulated others concerning New Zealand's war effort. As pioneering peoples, I do not think we have any reason to feel ashamed. The Mayor said that the address would stimulate New Zealanders to do even more. "We have by no means reached our zenith,” he added, and there should be more sacrifice. We must give and continue to give, in order to preserve what is most precious to us/" _