The Northern Advocate “NORTHLAND FIRST" Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1942. ‘This Disgusting Barbarism’

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1942, Page 4

The Northern Advocate “NORTHLAND FIRST" Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1942. ‘This Disgusting Barbarism’

PUNISHMENT cannot be inflicted upon an offender until he is caught. For that reason little can be done by the United Nations to protect the Jewish people in German-occupied countries from what the House of Commons yesterday designated “this disgusting barbarism.” Disgusting is a temperate word to apply to the unspeakable atrocities which Hitler and his henchmen have ordered Germans to indict upon unfortunate Jewish men, women and children in all parts of Europe that have become victims of the Nazi blight. Mi’. Anthony Eden told the House of Commons that reliable reports had recently reached the Government in regard to th e barbarous and inhuman treatment to which Jews are being subjected. The British Government, he said, as a result of these reports, especially one from Poland, which had become “a Nazi slaughterhouse,” had been in consultation with the United States and Russian Governments, and other Allied Governments directly concerned. These nations had made a declaration which had been published in Washington and New York. In this it was pointed out that the Nazis, not content with denying people of the Jewish race in occupied countries the most elementary human rites, are now carrying out Hitler’s oft-repeated intention to exterminate the Jewish people of Europe. Mr. Eden said Britain, the United States and Russia, had taken steps to let the world know that when the time arrived, the perpetrators of the horrible crimes would be given suitable punishment. To enable this to be done they reaffirmed their resolve to overthrow the Hitler regime. It was certainly intended, Mr. Eden added, that all persons who could be properly held responsible for the crimes, whether perpetrators or ringleaders, should alike be brought to book. That cannot be done until the Axis Powers have been defeated, a realisation which should spur every member of the United Nations to do his or her utmost to bring about that defeat. For that reason the declaration of the New Zealand Government, as voiced by the Prime Minister yesterday, will be welcomed by everybody in the Dominion. Mr. Fraser said that the Government wished to express horror at the shocking and inhuman cruelties now being perpetrated against the Jewish people in Europe by their German oppressors, and it fully associated itself with the declaration made on this matter by ether Governments of the United Nations. This will be re-echoed by every New Zealander who loves justice and mercy. The United Nations are indeed embarked on a great crusade.