BRITISH COURAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23818, 20 November 1940, Page 6

BRITISH COURAGE

ATTITUDE OF WORKERS MANUFACTURERS' LETTERS AMPLE FOOD AVAILABLE Several letters which give a clear impression of the attitude of British workers to the German air raids, and of their imperishable will to win, have been received by Mr. J. A. C. Allum, deputy-mayor of Auckland, in reply to personal messages of encouragement to British manufacturers with which his firm transacts business. Speaking of the people of London and the south coast, one manufacturer says that they have undoubtedly shown a degree of courage and resistance which is almost unbelievable. In spite of danger they carry on with their daily work to the very best of their ability, with the bare minimum of sleep and against difficulties of every description. Sensible Rationing "It is interesting to note," he adds, "that you refer to your ample food supplies, I expect you will have heard from your other correspondents that we are no less well supplied, and although we have reduced rations of certain commodities, I honestly do not think there is anyone who really notices the shortage, and thanks to the method employed in dealing with the rationing, there is certainly nothing such as occurred in the last war, when people had to queue up to obtain supplies of groceries and meat." The director of another firm, this one in London, says that although the premises "have been well ringed round, especially at nights, so far the works are intact, except for shrapnel holes in the roof and holes caused by falling debris. You simply cannot imagine," he adds, "the cheerful courage of the average London worker. Many of our workers have been rendered homeless, some twice, and some have lost relations, but there is never a word of complaint or a slackening in their will to victory." Letter from Employee A letter from Mr. Allum conveying good wishes to this firm was posted on the firm's notice board, and one of the employees added his thanks to that of the director. The letter concludes: "So far our premises have suffered only very slight damage, merely a piece of shrapnel through the roof, but the homes of some of my friends here have suffered severely, and in some cases have been destroyed, but we keep cheerful and are now used to the gunfire and the whisper and deep thud of bombs. We are content in the knowledge that in the end w® shall win."