SECOND ROUND OPENS

Evening Star, Issue 23657, 17 August 1940, Page 10

SECOND ROUND OPENS

"JOHN HULL" FULL OF FIGHT

GOVERNOR'S INSPIRING WORDS

[Per United Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, August 17. Addressing the Wellington parade of the Third Echelon, Lord Galway said the first round was over, and we muse admit that' the Germans had gained many points. France had collapsed, and we must admit that this had caused us serious inconvenience. But Britain had not . been knocked out; and , John Bull, that dour and experienced old fighter, had taken severe punishment; but had come up full of fight: We had only just begun.

Now the seconds were but of the ring, and the second round was about to begin. The enemy might gain- soma points—for instance in Somaliland-where-the French collapse had involved us in considerable difficulty; but it waa a country which had no strategic value, and Britain was not going to dissipate and waste her strength except on vital points. Italy might claim that she had acquired* a harbour which= might ,be yiseful for her cruisers, but a harbour waa useless unless, ypu could get ships to it, and he sincerdftr-, hoped that on the Red. Sea and eastwards of that, no Italian ship would be seen sailing oa those harbours.

. “On land we shall, once more meet the Italians, .formerly bur allies, now our opponents; and I little doubt that if they come across the New Zealanders they will reproduce some of the Caporetto form and show how-fast they can leave the field of battle.”

Lord- Galway went on to refer to the terrific air contest now, raging over the Channuel and the part New Zealand was playing.

Should the Germans ever .set foot on the shores of Britain they would receive such a welcome as they would never have anticipated, believing, as they did, the stories of their leaders. They could not win by lies over the air; the battle would be won by stout hearts and strong blows, and we would win through in the end because we had got right on our side,

“ We are in this contest 100 per cent, and we are not going to give in until the contest is won by our side.” ' Mr Fraser congratulated the officer*and men on the enthusiastic and thorough way in which they had undergone their training. “We know, that you will acquit yourselves with distinction and honour fully in keeping with‘the great and glorious traditions of New Zealand forces on land, sea,; and in th* air.” . Mr Hamilton said the parade would inspire the people to a still greater effort. This gathering gave the liG direct to Nazi claims that the youth to-dav in, democratic countries was n# match for the youth of yesterday.,;