RAID VICTIMS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1940, Page 3

RAID VICTIMS

SYMPATHY OP N.z. (Per Press Association— Copyright). WELLINGTON, Sep. 13. Admiration for the spirit of tlm British people and their indomitable courage during the present bombing, raids on London and on the other English towns and cities, was expressed by the Prime Minister, lit. lion. P. Fraser, in an interview tomgnt. he expressed the sympathy of the New Zealand Government and that of the citizens of the Dominion with the relatives of the killed, the injured and 'the homeless. irte said that New Zealand shared the world-wide sorrow and regret at the fate that had overtaken so many thousands of people of London, particularly those in the working class areas of that great city. “One must feel the highest admiration for the spirit of the people of London and of the United Kingdom as a whole,” said Mr Fraser. “1 have personally received cables from friends in the areas ..bombed, and in them the predominant note was expressed 1)1 terms of “thumbs up” and “smiling through.” Similar .evidence is v available from all parts of Great Britain. The British spirit found eloquent expression in the forcible and moving address of Mr Churchill, which was broadcast in New Zealand yesterday morning Every glowing word breathed the spirit and indomitable courage of the British people and the fixed der termination of the British Commonwealth lit. Hon Arthur Greenwood, in a broadcast from the British, Broadcasting Corporation to-day, also expressed in striking, graphic fashion, (the 'soul of Great Britain. They botli spoke for millions of people in the British isles, while Dorothy Thompson, also, to-day, in the most impressive way, has voiced the sentiments of an overwhelming majority of American people. While New Zealand’s sympathy with the victims of these bombing outrages is deep and sincere, the barbarous attacks on them strengthens the resolve of the people of ■this Dominion to put forward even greater efforts, if possible, side by side with the Mother Country and other members of -the British Commonwealth in the fight against the evil thing called Nazism, and to carry on that struggle to final victory.” Mr Fraser said the members of the Government and all the former colleagues in (Parliament of the Hign Commissioner for New Zealand, Mr W. J. Jordan, were relieved to learn that there had been no casualties at New Zealand House, and the conduct of the members of its staff through tl is trying time had been most pi aise worthy. The following cable message was received by Mr Fraser to-day front Mr Jordan; “I have to inform you that a delayed action bomb fell close to the vicinity of the office. All of the adjoining premises were closed by the police as unsafe to enter until it had exploded. I have made temporary arrangements elsewhere for urgent business affairs. The action and spirit of the staff is excellent.”