For Peace We Must Be Strong

Northern Advocate, 26 January 1939, Page 2

For Peace We Must Be Strong

[British Official Wireless.] tßeceived 2.0 p.m.) RUGBY. January 25. A universal call to national service is addressed to the nation in Mr Chamberlain’s foreword to the National Service Guide, delivery of which began to-day. He writes: “A desire of all of us is to live at peace with our neighbours. But' to secure peace wo must be strong. “Your country needs your and you are anxious to play your part. This guide will point the way.” There is also a foreword by Sir John Anderson, Minister of National Defence, who urges: “If your wish to live at peace with all peoples is to be fulfilled, wo must make ourselves strong, so that our influence for peace may be real, and we must make ourselves safe so that Others cannot be templed to thoughts of aggression against us.” Enthusiastic Inauguration. Tho appeal for national service has tho fullest support of all sections of tho community, and all political parties were represented at the inaugural rally in the Albert Hall, at which the Lord Mayor of London presided. It was attended by 9000 people, including volunteers for all civilian defence services, drawn from every London borough.

Sir John Anderson, who was principal speaker, emphasised that “the preparations we are making do not mean we expect war. While we have unfortuantely to reckon with the possibility of war, we do not expect war, either now or in the near future.

“We hope it may never come, but we recognise the surest method of averting war is to be prepared.”