FIGHT TO SURVIVE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20379, 16 October 1940, Page 6

FIGHT TO SURVIVE

BRITAIN’S CAUSE WORLD APPRECIATION WIDESPREAD APPROVAL RECONSTRUCTION AIM DUTY AFTER VICTORY lElec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 12.30 p.m. RUGBY, Oct. 15. The Prime Minister, Mr. Winston Churchill, was asked in the House ol Commons whether, in anticipation of the time when Britain and her Allies would be in a position to resume the military offensive he would take an early opportunity of stating their aims in general terms. He replied that this Was being borne in mind. Mr. Churchill added that the time had not come when an official declaration could be made on the war aims, beyond the very carefully considered statements which had already been made public. He aid not think the opinion prevailed anywhere that Britain was fighting merely to maintain the status quo. (Cheers.) “We are fighting in order to survive,” he declared. “When our capacity to do that is more generally recognised throughout the world when the conviction about it becomes * more general—;then we shall do with victory when it is won,” he said. It was urged upon the Prime Minister that an important factor in victory would be the assurance felt throughout the world that Britain stood ready to lead in the organising of a better world. World |n Little Doubt It was ppinted out in reply that great danger might lie in general statements and Mr. Churchill voiced his conviction that world opinion was in little doubt about the British cause which was wholeheartedly endorsedThe question of the war aims was subsequently raised on the motion for the adjournment and thp Minister of Information, Mr. A Duff .Cooper, replying for the Government, said that while everyone was aware for what Britain was fighting that was a. different matter from a formal statement of the war aims.

Any statement the Government might make must be one which would command the greatest possible unanimity, not only 1 among the parties in Britain, but also in the great Dominions and amqng those who were our friends and allies. The war, said Mr. Duff Cooper, was destroying a great part of the political, social and economic as well as the material structure of thp world and it would be a duty after victory had been achieved tp rebuild a better, ■saner and more beautiful fabric. It was a duty even now to be thinking how it could be rebuilt. Speaking of political organisations the Minister pointed r to the British commonwealth of nations as a great example for a combination of nations. An Italian communique states that a torpedo-carrying plane in the Mediterranean torpedoed a British cruiser and scored $’ direct hit on a transport. British piqnes again bombed Benghazi, hittjng houses near the port and the centre of the City. No damage was done to military objectives. Other British planes made raids on Bardia and Solium. One person was wounded. No notable damage was done. The British bombed Decamere causing slight damage.