NEW ZEALAND’S PLEDGE

Grey River Argus, 5 September 1939, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND’S PLEDGE

READY TO DO HER PART. WELLINGTON, September 4. “This is not. an occasion for many words. It is a dark day in the history, of the world." said the ActingPrime Minister (Mr. Fraser) in a statement issued this morning. “lhe actions of Germany loft the British Commonwealth no option but war, in defence of the principles of democracy justice and freedom. It is with deep’, regret and sadness that. I make this announcement on behalf of the Government, and |ho people will .receive it. with similar feelings that will not, however, affect the determination of both the Government and the people to play their part. “I would like to pay a tribute to the manner in which the British Government has consistently 7 and patiently tried to preserve peace during recent weeks,” said Mr. Fraser. “The New Zealand Government has repeatedly offered the support of this country to lhe United Kingdom in honouring its pledged word. The Government has reiterated that, pledge again during the night, in a cablegram to the United Kingdom Government. New Zealand is ready to do her part in assisting Great Britain in the conflict. The people of the Dominio?! will, I know, throw themselves deter-i minedly into any and every effort that may be required of them. Everything possible has been done to put the country into a state of preparedness, both on the civil and military sides. I have already given details of what has been done during the past few days in this respect, and statements are being published in the Press this morning setting out various additional war regulations and orders which the occasion demands.

“Therd is no need for -me to say much more at present,” concluded Mr. Fraser. “In the task that lies ahead, much will be expected from everyone and I know that every man and woman in the Dominion will play his or her part. The work and business of the country must go on, along with the added effort which war requires. I am pertain that the people of New Zealand, as they have done in the past, will respond unitedly at this time when the safety of the Commonwealth and our very civilisation is at stake.”