“Time For Cheery Whistle, Lilt Of Marching Song”

Northern Advocate, 28 May 1940, Page 6

“Time For Cheery Whistle, Lilt Of Marching Song”

[Special to “Northern Advocate ”] AUCKLAND, This Day. “It takes 18 months to two years for the British Empire to reach its full strength,” said the ’ president of the Auckland Provincial Branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union (Mr H. M. Rushworth), in addressing the 40t’h annual conference of the union in Auckland today. He declared that, while the strength of the Empire’s effort was steadily increasing, that of the enemy’s must be diminishing. The Germans had to win, the war in two months, or they could not win. Sudden Awakening. In New Zealand there had been a sudden awakening to the seriousness of the situation, and even farmers in the backblocks realised the-danger to the Empire. This was a time for a “cheery whistle and the lilt of a marching song.” It was fortunate that in the crisis the Empire had in Mr Churchill an inspiring leader. “There is a note that is grim and earnest in New Zealand,” said the Dominion president (Mr W. W. Mulholland), “but ft is a note of confidence.” Produce Must Be Ready. Referring to the shipping of produce, he said it was essential, in the interests of the Empire, that New Zealand should have at the ports sufficient produce to fill all the ships available. The a fin of the Dominion should be to maintain a reserve of supplies throughout the war.