N.Z. SACRIFICE

Grey River Argus, 5 September 1939, Page 5

N.Z. SACRIFICE

FOR FREEDOM Hon. P. Fraser's Plea [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September “It remains for the people of u.e British nations now to show that have faith in our case, and a readiness to back our cause by self-sacri-fice and devote ri effort," declared me Acting-Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, *,i a broadcast address at 7 a.m.. in which he repeated the assurance tnai. Britain had the whole-hearted support of New Zealand in the present crL.’s. “The calamity, which all of us hoped against hope would be averted, nas fallen upon the world,” said Mr Eraser. “The British Commonwealth of Nations is at war with Germany. Those who heard Mr Chamberlain’s solemn and moving statement to the people of the British Commonwealth from the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street, must have been deeply moved by his fateful words. The British Government did everything it possibly couid to avoid war, and to bring anout a peaceful solution to the dispute between Poland and Germany. “Even in this dark hour, the peopi-.-of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions can say, in all sincerity and in purity of heart that they harbour no feelings of bitterness or hatred towards the people of Germany. The attitude of the British Government to the rulers of German;/ has been both friendly and frank. In the name of the British people, the extended the hand of friendship , . the German people, while making plain their intention to stand firmly by their pledge to Poland. The rulers of Germany rejectee Britain’s outstretched hand of friendship, and, even while negotiations and efforts for preserving peace were still in progress, engaged in deliberate and indefensible acts of aggression against Poland, which, if persisted in, were bound to result in the tragedy of war between Britain and themselves. With full- knowledge of this dread probability, Herr Hitler and his associates relentlessly and cynically proceeded with their policy of ruthless aggression, and plunged the people of four great nations into war and bloodshed. “For years past, Britain has made many concessions and many sacrifices in the cause of peace. The peoples of the British Commonwealth have willingly shared in those sacrifices, and 1 am sure that, in the days ahead, they will make even greater sacrifices and will demonstrate their loyalty to those democratic ideals which are the fundamental principles of the British Commonwealth of Nations.

“On every possible occasion, in ri l0 |; Council and the Assembly of the' League of Nations and elsewhere, p New Zealand has proclaimed her faitlip in non-aggression, in the peaceful ‘ settlement of disputes between n.i-/ tions, and in world peace based upon • the principle of human brotherhood, 1 fair dealing, and international rigliwousness. New Zealand proclaims her faith in those principles to-day, in th? hour of trial and danger, as steadfastly as ever before, and will stand firmly with the United Kingdom in helping to resist the aggressor, whoso victory would mean the triumph of: violence and the trampling underfoot:, of all we hold dear, and have striven , for in our relationships between na- ■ tions. We cannot depart., from the , principles of freedom and justice in ( international affairs. If we do not 1 stand by those ideals, our civilisation will collapse and crumble into dust. . Because the democracies have not been actuated by warlike ideals and ( by aggressive intentions, the Nazi | Party in Germany, and Herr Hitler in < particular, led themselves apparently to believe that the peace-loving_ nations would abandon their principles before they would resist. Despite appeals to reason, and statements that Britain and France would adhere to their pledged word and defend the right, their firm, intentions were disbe lieved. It remained for the people; of the British nations to show that < we have faith in our case, and a readiness to back our cause by self-sacrifice and devoted effort. N.Z. SAFEGUARDS. - “I am able to assure the people of the Dominion that every possible pre- , paration has been made to guard our shores, and to faqe the conflict that now unfortunately confronts us. Steps will be taken, under the regulations just gazetted, to prevent exploitation and profiteering in the hour of our country’s trial, and to safeguard tn? welfare and liberties of our peop:e, as' well as to maintain the social and economic progress achieved. The whole of the British Commonwealth has undertaken measures to this end. and as announced, we in New Zealand have not been lacking in this respect. In Britain, as you all know, stupendous efforts have been made, and the British people can face the future with every confidence, no matter how great and tragic the tasks that lie ahead. The success of this country’s effort is, of course, dependent upon the people’s will, and upon the people themselves. Everyone, every man and woman, must play his and her part, and we know that they will.” “The Government of New Zealand has assured the Motherland of its whole-hearted support, in a message published in the Press, and which will be broadcast. We address ourselves with sad hearts, but with firm determination to the immediate task in forces and resources of our land, so hand—the task of rallying all the that we can stand side by side with the United Kingdom and the other nations of the British Commonwealth, in their struggle for- international righteousness. The conflict is between international friendship and international brute force, between reason and ruthlessness, between democracy and despotism. Not in anger but m sorrow, not in lightheartedness, but with heavy hearts, not in hatred but with a grave sense of great responsibility to mankind and to the future of humanity, not in malice and revenge but with a prayer for peace on our lips, the British people to-day dedicate themselves to the work of overthrowing the oppressor, and freeing the peoples of the earth from bondage and • slavery to a ruthless and cruel tyranny. That the conflict u .U bp brief that reason will speedily triumph,' that the sword which has been drawn so ruthlessly will be rapid-- ? v retuKed to its scabbard, and that soon peace will prevail and righteousness reign, must be the fervent Pr “cHRISTCHIJRCH. September 4. An appeal to all motor-cyclists who have nbt already offered their services to the Government m other ca-

. ...... . ... .... ! Ipacities to volunteer for special enter-j Igency communication work, has been I issued by the Canterbury Auto-Cycle Club in co-operation with the Defence Department. A plan has been drawn up by which the city is divided into zones, each zone being under the control of an officer who, in the event of an emergency, will be responsible for mobilising all the men in his zone who volunteer for this work. The information required from volunteers in the first instance is their name, address, and telephone number, cr number of nearest telephone, and this should be sent to the secretaryj of the Canterbury Auto-Cycle Club.