BRITAIN'S FIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23966, 16 May 1941, Page 10

BRITAIN'S FIGHT

CAUSE OF FREEDOM WO RLD-WI Dfe SUPPORT COMMON PEOPLE OF ALL RACES LONDON, May 1 1 The American Ambassador, Mr. J. G. Winant, addressing the English-Speaking Union, said: "It is probably the crowning virtue of the English-speaking countries that they recognise and respect virtue wherever they find it, and are not inclined to beguile themselves with the primitive and barbaric idea that they themselves have a monopoly of it. "That is the reason why to-day throughout Europe and throughout the world the common people of all races and all religions are hoping and praying and, wherever given a chance, lighting for victory for Britain and for the English-speaking countries which railv to Britain's aid.

"Only this week in London, in the early morning hours of the Sabbath Day, enemy bombs destroyed the House of Commons room of Parliament Buildings and smashed the altar of Westminster Abbey. These two hits seemed to symbolise the objective of the dictator and the pagan. "Across the street from the wreckage of these two great historic buildings of State and Church, the statue of Abra-

ham "Lincoln was still standing. As I looked at the bowed figure of the great emancipator and thought of his life, I' could not help but remember that he loved God, that he had defined and represented democratic government, and that he hated slavery. And, as an American, 1 was proud that ho was there in all that wreckage as the friend and sentinel ot' gallant days that have gone by, and a reminder that, in this great battle for freedom, he awaited quietly for the support of those things for which he lived and died.

"Freedom-loving and peace-loving peoples of this earth are coining to realise that this is not Britain's fight alone. When clever and cunning dictators are striking with lightning speed at any and every tree nation that dares to stand in their way, the time has come for the democratic nations to prove to the world that, while they are free to debate, they have the power and the will to net. "On Ihe wise use of the navies ot the world may hang the destinies ot the free peoples of the world. It is a kindly Providence that, at- this time of stress and danger, has placed at the heads of the two great English-speaking peoples two men whose knowledge of the sea is probably greater than that of any statesman of any time."

MORE REINFORCEMENTS DEFENCES OF SINGAPORE ALL SERVICES REPRESENTED LONDON, May 15 Large British reinforcements arrived at Singapore from Britain yesterday. They included infantry, artillery, Royal Army Service Corps, and units of the Navy and Royal Air Force. Tiiis movement of troops is part ot the policy of steadily increasing the defence forces of Malaya, which has been going on for some time. The Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Matsuoka, has stated that the international situation is 4 becoming more and more serious, with the European war threatening to spread throughout the world. Japan's policy, he continued, was one of co-operation with Germany, Italy and Russia for the common benefit of those nations and Japan.

; RELATIONS WITH JAPAN I ENVOYS SEE MR. MATSUOKA DISCRIMINATION IN CHINA (Reed. o.:{"» p.m.) TOIvIO, May I t The British Ambassador, Sic Robert Craigie, and the United States Ambassador, Mr. Joseph C. Grew, this morning saw Mr. Matsiioka, Japanese Foreign Minister lor the first time since his' return from Europe. It, is believed that the ambassadors sought to sound Japan's attitude toward a readjustment of relations between Japan, Britain and America, and other outstanding problems. , . Answering a Holise of» Cotnuioiis question.regarding Japanese discrimination against British' interests in China, the Seerotarv for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ailthonv Eden, recalled the unsatisfactory" outcome of representations addressed to Japan, a British official wireless message states. He added that he had instructed the British Ambassador to reply to Japanese complaints of economic restrictions in British territories by saying that while Britain's main object was to conserve supplies for the war effort and prevent these supplies from reaching its enemies, it was naturally influenced in deciding its economic policy : by Japan's attitude toward its interests ; in China. The Doniei news agency quotes Admiral Kiyoshi Hasegawa as saying that Formosa had been converted into a powerful base for Japanese activities, accelerating*her ipolicy in the southern region. '

BRITAIN AND CHINA CLOSEST CO-OPERATION (Real. 7.10 p.m.) LOXDOX, May 1-1 Answering r, House of Commons question regarding relations between the British Government and the Chinese Government at Chungking, the UnderSecretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. .It, A. Butler, said relations between the two Governments remained on terms ot the closest cordiality and co-operation, a British official wireless message states. "Kngaged as we are in a life and death struggle against aggression in Furope and the Middle East, the efforts of China to resist foreign domination and preserve her independence have a natural appeal to the people of this country." he said. ''The British Government has dune what it could in the past and will continue to do what it can in the future to help China to maintain her independence."

CONTROL BY STATE BRITAIN'S FIRE BRIGADES LONDON, May II The whole of Britain's fire brigade resources, now in the hands <>t MOO authorities in Kngland and Wales alone, are to be brought under Stale control, says the British official wireless. The .Minister of Home Security, Mr. Morrison, announced in the Mouse of Commons this drastic plan for combating the effects of air raids.

The brigades, said Mr. Morrison, will be grouped and directed in regions. The smallest units in the organisation will be sub-regions, comprising up to 30 local areas. Mobile units for reinforcing and other special duties will be created.

Greater flexibility and speed, and better direction and leadership, are, expected under the scheme than are now possible with the fire-fighting army divided into many small forces of varying size. Most .equipment is already standardised. .Ninety per cent of the war equipment was supplied by the I Home Office.