GREAT JOY IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 120, 14 February 1940, Page 9

GREAT JOY IN BRITAIN

“Anzacs” At War Stations GLOWING TRIBUTES BY PRESS By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright(Received February 13, 7.5 p.m. j LONDON, February 12. Britain has acknowledged the response of New Zealand and Australia to the war drums beating to quarters lor the freedom of the world. “Anzacs” is a word which is rising like a banner from every contents bill and from every leadei chronicling the troops arrival in Egypt. “The rimes" says: "Not by accident does military history repeat itself, but because geography is tiie foundation of strategy. Ihe Suez. Canal is still the half-way house for New Zealand and Australian troops and an admirable place d’armes for the reserve in the Near East, the more so because it is linked with a similar great French force in Syria and because Turkey has resumed her traditional friendship with Britain. “The Dominion forces could not be better placed. Their arrival reinforces our cause morally and materially."

"The ’rimes” recalls that Egypt was the training ground for those _ who won undying renown on Gallipoli, ami declares: “These troops will li'e up to their predecessors’ great lighting reputation. Mr. Savage and Mr. Menzies have clearly defined the issues ior which we are fighting. In all the Dominions public opinion has insisted that the great traditions built up on Gallipoli and in Flanders must be maintained.” The "Daily Telegraph,” singling out New Zealand for a special compliment, with “Haeremai” as the beading, interprets the landing after a prosperous voyage as a demonstration of Imperial unity, Britain’s command of the seas, and efficiency of the Army, Navy, and the Mercantile Marine. It was appropriate, says the “Telegraph,” that when the first New Zealand transport reached Suez the Maori greeting “Haeremai” should be vociferously raised, suggesting the obvious English interpretation, “Here am I.” “Will Not Doubt Issue.” “Three cheers for the Anzacs. The boys are on their way,” exults the "Daily Mail” in a tribute to the immortality of a name which is unforgettable here or in Germany. It adds: "Between 1914 and 1918, 412,090 Australians and 128,000 New Zealanders fought the Kaiser. Now they come to fight Hitlerism as they fought Kaiserism in the last war.”

The “News Chronicle” cites the arrival as the Dominions’ answer to Germany’s false prophets who foretold the " disintegration of the Empire. •‘Once more,” it says, “the New Zealanders and Australians have taken up war stations and now they await their task with Turkey no longer a foe but a friend.”

The “Daily Herald” says: “If the mass cruelty in Europe appals, remember the free British nations; and remember that Socialist New Zealand is turning from her great social experiment to the grimmer job of defending the right of free nations to exist at all. When you remember that, remember the heroic Anzacs in the last war. You will not doubt the issue.” The “Evening Standard” poster reads: “Australians Take Up War Stations.” The “Star,” “Anzacs in Middle East,” and the “Evening News,” “Anzac Army on the Way.”