TIDE OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 81, 30 December 1940, Page 10

TIDE OF THE WAR

Now Turned hi Our Favour MR. FRASER’S VIEW "As each mouth goes by. as the British Commonwealth defences grow, as it strengthens its industrial organization, as it exploits its natural wealth, as it takes advantage of its financial strength, as it delivers decisive blows with its sea, land, and air power, we know that the tide, now turned in our favour, will carry us on to the battleground of our own choosing and to the decisive blow for which we arc preparing.” declared the Prime Minister, l\lr. Fraser, in a statement last night. ••This is no cheap optimism but assurance solidly based on our vast resources and our will and determina-

tion to survive and win, to overtliron once and for all the evil forces oi Nazism and Fascism which are sfil: memicing mankind." .M,r. Fraser said.

“Wo have been filled with the deepest admiration for the way in which the British people have rallied from the enormous losses in Flanders, and for the wav in which they have made good those' losses. The workers of Britain in every branch of the vast business of munitions production made their contribution.

“In the hour of crisis they turned to and worked without consideration of hours to the full limit of human endurance. Every worker who stuck to his post and did his job played Ins part. He did so in the face of air raids because to take shelter when the warning sirens sounded meant the loss of precious working hours. He faced death, and many men ami women went to their deaths at their posts, heroes in a great cause. Formation of New Armies. "We have seen the formation of new armies in Britain —rhe coasts defended and every preparation made to repel invasion. Every man, indeed, for whom a weapon could be found has been incorporated into the armed forces. “In August, air warfare mounted to a terrific pitch. In their thousands the German planes were hurled across the seas and were beaten baek with lingo losses. The Royal Air Force has broken the first great air offensive and demonstrated again and again the superior quality of its pilots and machines. The Royal Air Force has also struck back, night after night, raiding German objectives, and Italian also. "The airmen, assisted by the Navy and backed by a nation of dogged defenders. army and citizens alike, turned the tide of battle and halted invasion, and for their valour and prowess and dbvotion to duty we are profoundly grateful. “A few months ago many of the neutrals and even many of our American friends thought the British prospects of survival, were only moderate. Today I doubt even if our enemies still think that. We have proved conclusively to the whole world not only that we can survive, but that we will win. .Mr. CliureliiU's Inspiration. Mr. Winston Churchill, who. as Prime Minister of Great Britain, is an inspiration to the friends of democracy and freedom throughout the world, interprets that democracy for which we are fighting in the following terms:— “ ‘When this war is won, as it surely will bp,’ he said, ‘it inpst be one of our aims to establish a state and a society in which the advantages and privileges hitherto enjoyed by the few shall be far more widely shared by the men and youth of the nation as a whole.’ “Both President Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill interpret true democracy as meaning wjuit. we in New Zealand have endeavoured to make it mean, namely, social and economic security and full ■ opportunity for all to live a useful, a cultured and a happy life. The work of maintaining what wo have achieved in New Zealand is a sacred trust, but. all of it will vanish unless the forces of freedom and democracy triumph. But triumph we will and it. is our privilege to assist toward that victory which will save not only New Zealand, not only the British Commonwealth, but mankind.