COMMON CAUSE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24250, 16 April 1942, Page 6

COMMON CAUSE

FAITH IN VICTORY AMERICAN MINISTER ALL RESOURCES PLEDGED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday "New Zealanders are engaged in this war for their survival and for the perpetuation of their principles and way of life," said the United States Minister to New . Zealand, Brigadier-General Patrick J. Hurley, in replying at a State luncheon to-day to a welcome by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser. Brigadier-General Hurley was given a most enthusiastic reception. His speech—as brief as it was powerful — was warmly applauded at intervals and, at the conclusion, there was vigorous, prolonged cheering, to which he replied with a full-blooded war whoop, accompanied by a fitting gesture. Throughout the function, references to the King and President Roosevelt and to tho United States and- the Empire drew a fervent response and the presence of representatives of other United Nations was applauded. A welcome to Brigadier-General Hurley was extended by Mr. Fraser on hehalf of the people and Government of New Zealand. It was the first time, said Mr. Fraser, that an American Minister had been welcomed to the Dominion. Brigadier-General Hurley was welcomed as a distinguished American citizen, as an' eminent statesman and as a gallant soldier. He was also welcomed as a staunch friend, as an intrepid fighter for freedom and as a representative of the United States and of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Belief in Democracy "In welcoming you I speak for our citizens, who cherish a belief in democratic rights, privileges, and advantages," added Mr. Fraser. "We are proud to belong to the British Commonwealth of Nations. We were never prouder of the land from which we sprang than when we saw the whole British nation, from the King and Queen to the humblest citizen, undaunted amid the debris of their cities and homes, turn determinedly to the gigantic task of organising for total war." New Zealand was grateful, said Mr. Fraser, for the staunch comradeship of the United States, and not merely for material assistance. Thankfulness was due to the spiritual force America had brought to the cajise of liberty and justice. America's great industry was working 24 hours daily turning out the means, unfortunately the only means, of man's salvation—armaments, tanks, planes and ships. Meeting the Challenge "In this hour I come to you from your kinspeople across the mighty Pacific Ocean, from the greatest republic on earth, from the land of liberty, to say to you that your principles are our principles, and your cause is our cause, and, as token of our faith in victory of that cause, to pledge the resources, lives, honour and power of 130,000,000 Americans," said General Hurley.

Describing New Zealanders as a great people with great leaders, His Excellency said they always sought to solve their problems by the application of the golden rule. Throughout their splendid history New Zealanders had always upheld the rights of mankind to life, liberty, justice and the pursuit of happiness.

The Japanese had challenged the freedom of the Pacific Ocean and the liberties and way of life of all peaceful nations. This challenge could not be met by words. The solution of the conflict between free peoples and Japan would be found only in mortal conflict. We must attack, defeat and destroy the autocracy of Japan in battle upon land, upon the. sea, under the sea and in tne air. Victory the Paramount Objective • In face of this fact, it seemed futile for us to continue to debate political, economic, social and diplomatic objectives, because all these objectives would be lost if we lost the war. All our objectives must be to co-ordinate, to, bring •the full strength of the free peoples to bear on the paramount objectives of today—the defeat of the enemy in battle. The fighting men must be supported by the mobilisation of all our industrial and productive strength at* home. The enemy had made this a total war. Every individual, whether a leader of industry, a manager of commerce, a worker'in a factory, in the field, or unloading a ship—in fact, all leaders, managers and workers —were fighting, and if they shirked they were breaking faith with the soldier who died in battle. Cheering marked the conclusion of Brigadier-General Hurley's speech.