TO THE LAST

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 101, 1 May 1941, Page 13

TO THE LAST

NEW ZEALAND IN WAR

MR. FRASER'S ASSURANCE

UNITY AT HOME

- "Mr. Holmes: can .take back to Britain an assurance that all the people of this Dominion are with . Britain to the last penny, the last life, and the last piece of property," declared the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) in ,a speech of welcome to Mr. William Holmes, representative of the British Trades Union Congress, at a Government luncheon yesterday. The function was attended by members of . Cabinet, the War Council, and: Parliament, the Judiciary, representatives of Empire Countries, and representatives of the consular services and commercial community. The Prime Minister recalled a stirring speech he had heard their guest mak^fe last year at the Trades Union Congress at Home. There was, said Mr: Fraser, no doubt where the British workers stood. There was no doubt about their doing everything in their power to help in the present struggle. They knew jfchat the democratic institutions which they valued would go if the enemy won, and among the first to go would be the trades unions, as they had in Germany, and in every country that was under Nazi domination. "The spirit of the British people will never be conquered," said Mr. Fraser. "It will finally overthrow the forces of tyranny and injustice let loose upon a world that looked only for tfeace, and will eventually grind into the dust of the earth those forces which, if not checked, will dominate, not only the country and the factories and the social life of the people, but the very soul and spirit of mankind. "Britain has set us an example which, according to our opportunity and our resources, we will endeavour to follow," said Mr. Fraser. "We look forward in our day, perhaps very shortly, to seeing the countries of the earth ■ that'have been dominated again having the opportunity to assert themselves and join in the final triumph of democracy," DEMOCRATIC SPIRIT. • Mr.' Holmes, who was greeted with musical honours, spoke of the strong 'democratic spirit in New Zealand, and said how. very, gratifying it was to him and; his colleagues at Home to find .that" the Dominion had elected a Government somewhere hear their own hearts. , "Whatever may be the difference of opinion on any matter at Home," said Mr. Holmes; "there, is one thing on ; \vhich we: are all united, and that is •that our country comes first when the enemy appears on the horizon. We forget our differences to face the foe in a united manner. : ; There was never a time of crisis . in our history when the people of .';;-Grqat Britain ■ had . been so united as they are today. There is no one of. any standing outside the nation's war effort. As soon as democracy has given it's decision, whether it is by a majority of one or a thousand, we respect that decision. ,A/We ,all> share, the sanie danger; there is no place of safety. In London the King has suffered as much as the working people. People are ma-chine-gunned in the streets, bombed in the fields, and blown out of hospitals. As soon as the Nazi planes come over we, lie down in the fields; when they are gone we rise up, seize the plough, and get to work^ again. We have asked the factory workers to stand to their machines right up to the last: minute and take the risk. And sometimes we take more risks than our soldiers —we are in the front line. But the main thing is that we are united. "Some of the things that have been done to our people we cannot talk about in public. The suffering; has been terrible. The Nazi has the same type of mind as a razor-slasher. Even religion does not escape from them. "We have decided as a working class that we will stand by 'the Government without asking any questions. So long as the Government has been elected by democracy, that is enough : for, us. We accept the decision of the people." : Mr. Holmes said they were all proud of Winston Churchill. "He is a typical Englishman, and he typifies the outlook of the Englishman," said Mr. Holmes. "And he will see us through if he gets the backing, and we will back him for all we are worth." The speaker added that he brought with him a message of hope. Scores and scores of great new factories were going up and would soon be making all the munitions that were needed, and they had been rapidly building great aerodromes on the west coast. "I believe that before this year is out we shall be masters in the air, not only in the daytime but at night, as well," said Mr. Holmes.' "And when this war is won, we will have to shape a new world economy and democracy, and ensure peace on earth for all time."