FIGHTING FORCES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20257, 27 May 1940, Page 12

FIGHTING FORCES

PROVISION OF ARMS WARNING BY PREMIER NEEDS ARE IMPERATIVE DEEPENING OF GRAVITY (Eloc. T<il. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. May 27, 9 a.m.) LONDON, May 25. One thousand delegates representing 5,000,000 organised workers assembled at a special meeting of the Trade Union Executive Council to-day and gave the following pledge to the armed forces: “Men of the fighting forces we .salute your daring, courage and determination. We unitedly resolve that all the internal resources shall be used fully to provide the arms and munitions you need. We arc with you in the fight till victory is won.” The Minister of Labour and National Service, Mr. Ernest Bevin made a powerful speech. The Prime Minister. Mr. Winston Churchill sent a message to delegates in the course of which he declared: “The country's needs are imperative, inoscapable and imperious. We will pay dearly if we fail to meet them. New Unity of Purpose Mr. Churchill’s message added; “We can meet the country’s needs now as the Government is founded upon a new unity of national purpose and with the creative energies of the people awakened to the magnitude ot the task. We have the fullest confidence in the readiness of the organised workers to accept the obligations arising out of the demands which the State is compelled to make upon their endurance and their capacity for sacrifice. “The gravity of the situation deepens hour by hour, and we are all called upon to make a supreme effort' *o defend the country, to preserve our liberties and to win the war.” The conference passed a resolution of confidence in the general council of the Trades Union Council and the advisers to the Ministry of Labour. There were only four dissentients.