DEFENCE OF CIVILISATION

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14473, 28 June 1940, Page 4

DEFENCE OF CIVILISATION

“BRITISH PEOPLE HAVE NO ILLUSIONS.” Electric Telegraph -Press Association WELLINGTON, June 27. Before the Minister of Finance (Hon. W. Nash) began reading the Budget in the House to-night, the Prime Munster made a brief statement on the war situation. After referring to tbe French armistice with Germany and Italy, and its grave import to the security ol the British Commonwealth. Mr Fraser said: “Throughout these anxious times the Government has been kept closely, indeed daily, in touch with the position by the British Government. While we deplore the decision, ’taken by the Bordeaux Government, we have no desire to utter any reproach to the French people, who had fought so magnificently and suffered so cruelly in the war with Germany. We deeply sympathise with them in the bitter trials with which they are now faced. “To the French communities in the South Pacific the New Zealand Government has expressed its sympathy and desire for mutual cooperation and the warm-hearted sympathy of all New Zealanders has been extended towards the French people living in this country and they have been invited to remain with us in our struggle against the common enemy. The deliverance ot France and the other conquered nations is dependent upon a British victory and we confidently believe that that task is not beyond our powers and resources. “The British people have no illusions as to the dangers and difficulties ahead, but they are fully determined to carry on and prove to the world that their resolute temper and spirit of independence are sufficiently strong to-day. as they have always been in the past, to withstand and overcome the fiercest of attacks. “This is a war in defence of civilisation,” said Mr Fraser, “in which the British peoples are proud to fight, and at such a fateful hour we in New* Zealand are equally proud to be associated with them. The only thing I have to add is that, as Britain’s ta.sk becomes harder and her peril greater, we in New Zealand are increasingly strengthened in our determination to stand by her and give her all the aid that lies within our power.”