NEWFOUNDLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1940, Page 6

NEWFOUNDLAND

SENDS TROOPS TO BRITAIN.

(Per British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, April 28. Referring to the arrival in England last Thursday of fighting forces from Newfoundland, the “Observer” comments that although it was not a relatively Targe contingent it was in some ways the most significant of any. “Newfoundland, though the oldest is the smallest and poorest' of the Dominions, with a population of fewer than 300,000, and has a hard climate and infertile soil. Had they said that their own troubles were enough to cope with and professed only academic sympathy with tho Allies, who could have wondered?” “But what do we find? Fewer in numbers than the inhabitants of Lambeth or Islington, the Newfoundlanders have claimed a place in every department of war. Thousands are enrolled in the Navy. Some have won distinction in the Air Force, and the men who arrived on Thursday will form an artillery unit of their own. Other thousands are engaged in logging in British woodlands and they complain only that they are not allowed a substitute service in arms for the employment in which their technical skill is so invaluable. ' " “• s ‘

“None of these men is serving tho Allied cause for any reason but his own choice. Individuals were under no compulsion to come, for their Government tohl them to stop. They are hero because they feel that tho Empire is embarked on a glorious enterprise. The honour and satisfaction of sharing if is due to 'thorn!' solves.”