GRIM SITUATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24236, 1 March 1940, Page 12

GRIM SITUATION

TASK BEFORE EMPIRE- - WHAT DEFEAT WOULD MEAN ; Unless the Allies won the warf it would mean good-bye to the British Empire, said . Sir Harry Batterbee, United Kingdom High Commissioner in New Zealand, at a function in Hast, ings. He said that if by any chance Hitler or Stalin was to win they would carve up the world, and New Zealand, - like many other countries, would fall. “That is the grim situation that, we are up against,” said Sir Harry. “If we all pull together with the Mother Country, then I am sure we shall win, but we shall only get there if we all do our best.” He declared that if Great Britain had not taken the stand she had she would have lost not only the respect of other nations, but her own respect. There was no other course left to an honourable nation,” he said “ This war is going to be the greatest. test the British Empire -has ever had.”#; continued Sir Harry, “jit is not going--to be an easy thing.” Under present), conditions the Mother Country wanted ! all the produce it was possible for New Zealand and other dominions to give, for in this way they would heln to prosecute the war almost as much as in miliary aid. ■ -w ~*-i “I can. assure you that one'thing which inspires the Mother Country, 4s.;'; the knowledge that this country and all others of the British Empire determined to help her to the very end,” said Sir Harry. “ Before we are ~ through with the great task now-con 1 -'- - fronting us there is going to be a very hard struggle. The German military c - machine is a strong and powerful one. The Mother Country will want the last man and all the produce possible, butI am perfectly convinced that if every part of the Empire does contribute, then, with the help of our Ally, France." we shall win through in the end.