Need For Stiff Upper Lip

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 121, 23 May 1940, Page 6

Need For Stiff Upper Lip

Empire’s Hour of Trial

MR. HAMILTON URGES HARD WORK AND S ORIFICE Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 22. “Two things to me emerge from this grave hour of military crisis—one, the need for courage, a stiff upper lip and confidence in our ability to strike back , and keep on striking back; two, the necessity to throw every ounce of undivided effort into our contribution to the struggle,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Hon. A. Hamilton) to-night. “Some say New Zealand is a small part. I say it has been a vital part before and it will be a vital part again. Never let us forget that the New Zealanders’ reputation for bravery, individuality and initiative was won on the very ground over which the Germans arc now advancing. Do not let us forget that in 1918, in a critical hour in March, by a brilliant stroke, the New Zealand division closed the gap after an epic action which played a lcey part in the final successful counter-attack. We stuck it out then, and we have got to stick it out now. “With the Prime Ministers cf England and France, I consider this is an hour for confidence as well as hope, but it is an hour for desperate, hard work and sacrifice from all men and women who are proud to call themselves Britons. Do not let us wait for some official lead which must, of course, be j expected from the dawn of to-morrow, whether it be in response to the demand | for fighting men, in the production of j foodstuffs, or in intensified attention to the day-to-day routine of ordinary j civilian life. Let there be established new records of unselfish service.

“Above all, the New Zealand division overseas must have unhesitating support from men within the military age group at home. We must bo able to parallel the courage, endurance and sacrifice of our troops.

| “A national campaign against pessi- ! mists, slackers and treacherous and subversive elements must be carried out j with the utmost severity. Then, by j absolute unison, we will forge a weapon of sufficiently sterling quality to be ■ capable of battering the enemy.”