DOMINION’S NOTE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20254, 23 May 1940, Page 4

DOMINION’S NOTE

HOUR OF CONFIDENCE “STIFF UPPER LIP” WORK AND SACRIFICE MR. HAMILTON’S APPEAL (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. ■ “Two things to me emerge from this grave hour of military crisis. One is need for courage, a stiff upper lip arid confidence in our ability’to strike back and keep on striking back. The second is the necessity to throw every ounce of undivided effort into our contribution to the. struggle,” said the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, last night.

“Some say that New Zealand’s is a small part. I say it has been a vital part before, and it will be a vital part again. Never let us forget that the New Zealanders’ reputation for bravery, individuality and initiative was won on the very ground over which the Germans are now advancing. .Do not let us forget that in 1918, in the critical horn* in March, by a brilliant stroke the New Zealand division closed the gap after an epic action which played a key part in the final successful counter-attack. ; Desperate Hard Work “We stuck it out then; we have got to stick it out now. With the Prime Ministers of England and France, I consider this is the hour for confidence as well as hope, but it is an hour for desperate hard work and sacrifice, from all men and women who are proud to call themsqjves Britons.

“Do not let us wait for some official lead, which must, of course, be expected from* the dawn of to-morrow, whether it be in response to a demand for fighting men, in the production of foodstuffs, or in intensified attention to the day-to-day routine of ordinary civilian life. Let there be established new records of unselfish service. ' *

“Above all the New Zealand Division overseas must have unhesitating support from the men within the military age group at home. We must be able to parallel the courage, endurance and sacrifice of our troops. The national campaign against pessimists, slackers and treacherous, subversive elements must be carried out with the utmost severity. Then, by absolute unison, we will forge a weapon of sufficiently sterling quality to be capable of battering the enemy.”