CRITICAL DAYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23769, 24 September 1940, Page 8

CRITICAL DAYS

BATTLE OF BRITAIN OUTLOOK OF WORKERS MR. ATTLEE CONFIDENT By Telcprnph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless LONDON, Sept. 22 The "Battle of Britain" was the subject of a broadcast by the Lord Privy Seal, Mr. C. R. Attlee. The hopes and fears of millions were involved in the result, Mr. Attlee said, and all were asking, "How goes the fight?" Stating that he was one of those charged with the duty of working at the centre, and thus able to survey the whole fiold with a full knowledge of what was happening, Mr. Attlee said: "I speak with a deep sense of confidence in the success of our cause." After paying a tribute to the work of the Royal Air Force, the Lord Privy Seal continued: "Our.forces on land are in good heart. I include in those forces not only the Navy, Army, Air Force and Home Guard, but also civil defence services, police, workers in industries, and, indeed, all men, women and children of our nation. Spirit of the People "We are all in this war. Those who have been killed in air raids have died for their country no less than soldiers killed in battle. For this present air attack is not directed primarily on our factories, docks and public services, but on the spirit of our people. It is hero that Hitler is suffering his heaviest defeat. "I have just been visiting some great works whose output is vital to our war effort. If Hitler by his attacks could cut that output by half he would have an important success, but he will not succeed. Workers refuse to be intimidated. "I have also been visiting, whenever possible, our people whose relatives are being killed, whose homes are being destroyed, whose lives are being subjected to constant danger. Their answer is always the same, 'Hitler has not got us down.' Turning Point In War "I believe the Battle of Britain is the turning point in the war. Defeat in this attack marks the turning of the tide. We may have to endure worso things yet. There is no room for easy optimism, but there is every cause for confidence." Unexpected problems which had arisen from the attack on London were being tackled with vigour, Mr. Attlee said, and concluded: "Wliat Nazism stands for is the destruction, not only of old and beautiful things, which we inherited from the past, but the homes and lives of kindly men and women. We here in Britain are standing for the future of mankind. "When Hitler is defeated we will join together with all men and lyomen of goodwill and build up a new world and a new Britain on better and closer foundations than that old world which is passing away for ever."

NEW NIGHT LIFE LONDON ADAPTS ITSELF COMMON SENSE, NOT FEAR (Received September 23, 6.30 p.m.) British "Wireless LONDON", Sept. 22 Londoners faced their sixteenth successive night raid when German bombers appeared over the capital on Sunday night. The German broadcast, gloating that "Londoners were allowed to spend the night in underground stations" and that it is "now learned that, during the last 48 hours, Londoners, have had to spend 15 in air raid shelters," has shown an utter lack of understanding of the spirit in which such "cover" is taken. The adaptation of Londoners to the new night life, necessitated by the threat of murder from the sky,, is glowingly praised by neutral correspondents, one of whom suggests that the Germans arc far from the mark if they -are mistaking Cockney common sense for panic and fear. The attitude of Londoners is summed up by the catch phrase, continually heard with comic emphasis when the sirens sound: "It's that man again." WAR SAVINGS CAMPAIGN IN BRITAIN (Received September 23, 0.30 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Sept. 22 The war savings campaign raised £7,026,761 last week. Since the opening of the campaign nearly £367,000,000 lias been raised by the sale of savings certificates, defence bonds and increases in savings bank deposits. This sum reflects the work done by 155,533 savings groups which have been formed in Britain.