BRITAIN READY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 56, 4 September 1939, Page 8

BRITAIN READY

AN APPEAL TO ALL

ALL PREPARATIONS MADE

"The calamity which all of us hoped against hope would be averted has fallen upon the world," said Mr. Fraser. • ; ! "The British > Commonwealth of Nations is at war with Germany. "Those who heard Mr. Chamberlain's solemn and moving statement to the people of the British Commonwealth from the Cabinet Room in 10 Downing Street must have been deeply moved by his fateful words. "The British Government did everything it possibly could to avoid war and to bring about a peaceful solution to the dispute between Poland and Germany. "Even in this dark hour the. people of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions can say in all sincerity and in purity of heart that they harbour no feelings of bitterness or hatred towards the people of Germany. "Thej attitude of the British Government to the rulers of Germany has been both friendly and frank. In the name of the British people they extended the hand of friendship to the German people, while making plain their intention to stand firmly by their pledge to Poland. : FRIENDSHIP REJECTED. "The rulers of Germany rejected Britain's outstretched hand of friendship, and even while negotiations and efforts for preserving peace were -still in progress engaged in deliberate and indefensible acts of aggression against Poland,; which, jf persisted in; were bound to result in the tragedy of war between Great Britain and themselves. "With full knowledge of the dread probability Herr Hitler and his associates relentlessly and cynically proceeded with their policy of ruthless aggression and plunged the people of four great nations into war and bloodshed. . "For years past Great, Britain has made many concessions and many sacrifices in the cause of peace. "The peoples of the Commonwealth have willingly shared in those sacrifices, and I am sure that in • the days ahead they will make even greater sacrifices and will demonstrate their loyalty to those democratic ideals which are fundamental principles of the British Commonwealth of Nations. "On every possible occasion in the Council and Assembly of the League, of Nations and elsewhere, New Zealand has proclaimed her faith in nonaggression, in the peaceful settlement of disputes between natiqns, and, in world peace based upon the principle ,of human brotherhood, fair dealing, and international righteousness. "New Zealand proclaims her faith-in those principles today in the hour of trial and danger as steadfastly as ever before, and will stand firmly with the United Kingdom in helping to resist the aggressor whose victory would mean the triumph of violende and the trampling underfoot of all' that we hold dear and have striven for in the relationships between nations.

■ "We cannot depart from the principles of freedom and justice in international affairs. If we do not stand by those ideals our civilisation Will collapse and crumble into dust. "Because the democracies have not been actuated by warlike ideals- and by aggressive intentions, the Nazi Party in Germany and Herr Hitler in particular led themselves apparently to believe that the peace-loving nations would abandon their principles before they would resist. INTENTIONS DISBELIEVED. "Despite appeals to reason and statements that Britain 'and France would adhere to their pledged word and defend the right their firm intentions were disbelieved. ~ "It remains for the people of the British nations now to show that we have faith in our case and a readiness to back our cause by self-sacrifice and devoted effort. "I am able to assure the people of th«? Dominion that every possible preparation has been made to guard our shores and to face the conflict that now unfortunately confronts us. "Steps will be taken under the regulations just gazetted to prevent exploitation and profiteering in the hour of our country's trial and to safeguard the welfare and liberties of our people as well as to maintain the social and economic progress achieved. "The whole of the Commonwealth has undertaken measures to this end and, as announced, we in New Zealand have not been lacking in this respect. In Great Britain, as . you all know, stupendous efforts, have been made, arid, the British people can face the future with every confidence, no matter how great and tragic, the tasks that lie -'ahead.';. '■ '."■■' : ' ' ' '■ ■ -■"•' ■ ■■,■ :'j "The success of this country's effort is, of course, dependent upon; the people's will and upon the people themselves. Everyone, every man and every woman, must play his and her part and we know,that they will. "The Government of New Zealand has assured the Motherland ; of its wholehearted support, in a message published in the Press and .which will be broadcast. FIRM DETERMINATION. "We address ourselves with sad hearts but with firm determination to the immediate task in-hand—the task of rallying air the forces and resources of our land so that .we can stand side by side with the United Kingdom ' and the other nations of the British Commonwealth ;in their struggle for international righteousness. , "The conflict is between international friendship and international brute force, between reason and ruthlessi ness, between democracy and despot- ' ism. ' ■ ■'.''' .'.-' ■. ~ : "Not in anger but in sorrow; hot !in lightheartedness, but1 with heavy - hearts; not in hatred but with a grave 1 sense of great responsibility to man- ■ kind and to the future of humanity; < not in malice and revenge, butvwith 1 a prayer for peace oh our lips, the ■ British people today dedicate them- » selves to the work of overthrowing the oppressor and freeing the peoples t of the earth from, bondage and slavery -to a ruthless and cruel tyrahny. "r ■ "That the conflict will be brief, that j i reason will reassert itself,, that jusi tice will speedily triumph, that the [ sword which has been drawn so ruthi lessly will be rapidly returned to its ! scabbard, and that soon peace will pre- : vail and righteousness reign must be the fervent prayer of all." ;