IMPERIAL UNITY DEMONSTRATED

Southland Times, Issue 23978, 20 November 1939, Page 8

IMPERIAL UNITY DEMONSTRATED

DISCUSSIONS AMONG MINISTERS EXCHANGE OF VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE (British Official Wireless) (Received November 19, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, November 18. The Dominions Secretary (Mr R. A Eden) and the visiting Ministers and the representative of the Indian Government today addressed a meeting of .international journalists. _ Mr Eden said that the discussions had covered the whole strategical, economic and financial field of common effort and resulted in all giving much valuable knowledge. They had given a full assurance of the spirit of co-operation and that the resources of India and the Dominions would be used in the most effective and economical manner. Great as were the results of such co-operation in 1914, they would be far greater now that the Dominions were more widely developed and industrialized and the contribution in material would be in a measure and rate many times greater. Mr Eden mentioned as an example the great Empire air training to be carried out in Canada, which scheme, he described as unique. The visiting Ministers had heavy departmental duties in their own countries, which would necessitate their early return, but certain experts brought would stay for as long as necessary. . Mr T. A. Crerar (Canada) said that Canada had entered the war free of constraint and by practically the unanimous decision of the Canadian Parliament. There was a natural desire to stand by Britain’s side, but also the pioneering spirit and the consequent love of freedom and liberty and the individual’s right to live his own life were still strong in Canada. “If the philosophy of Nazi Socialist Germany triumphs in Europe, we realize that sooner or later its shadow will be thrown across our Dominion,” he said.

NAZI PROPAGANDA FAILS

Mr R. G. Casey (Australia) said the Australian Government had sent him to find out how the greatest assistance could be given to the common cause. The German wireless propaganda had been engaged in an effort to discount the probability of active participation in the war by the Dominions. “Do not be misled by this,” he said. “Australia and the rest of the Empire will pull their full weight.” . The ultimate issue was not m doubt, for neither Britain nor Australia had anything to gain, except continued freedom, and that was not going to be lost. Mr Casey spoke enthusiastically of the French determination. He concluded: “I do not under-estimate Germany, but she cannot stand up to the might of the Allies, who have right and the best interests of mankind on their side.”

Speaking on behalf of New Zealand. Mr P. Fraser said that the object of his visit had been achieved and would be of fhe utmost assistance in the measures New Zealand was taking to play its full part, both in men and supplies. Speaking of his country’s attitude to the struggle, Mr Fraser said: ' “We are fully at one with the people of the United Kingdom and the other Dominions and France in our determination—which we arrived at with the greatest reluctance and regret. After a long period of intolerable aggression it becomes unquestionably necessary to take a stand once and for all against the ruthless application of force in international relations and the cruel persecution of peoples who are unable to protect themselves. We could take no other course if democracy and civilization are to survive or indeed, if human decency is to prevail in the world.” Colonel Denys Reitz (South Africa) said that some irresolution among the Dutch-speaking South Africans was noticeable on the outbreak of war, but,

as the spectacular electoral assurances within the last few days showed, the whole country was now rallying to the Prime Minister (General Jan Smuts). After describing the scope of the discussions and the complete agreement reached at meetings with Imperial Government Ministers, he spoke of his visit to France, saying: “I don’t believe that 10,000,000 Germans could break the Maginot Line, nor break the British front.” Sir Mahommed Za Frullah Khan (India) said that whatever differences they might have, India, like all other parts of the Empire, was determined to fight Nazi aggression and bluster. DOMINION MINISTERS IMPRESSED VISIT TO BRITISH AND FRENCH FORCES (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, November 17. Addressing the Overseas League, the Dominions Secretary, Mr R. A. Eden, said: “We have been not only with the British Expeditionary Force but also with the French armies in the Maginot Line, and thanks to the enthusiasm of the South African Minister, Colonel Denys Reitz, even in advance of the Maginot Line. The visit was an inspiration to us all. No one who saw what we saw could -have the least doubt—if they ever had any—of the ultimate outcome of this struggle.” “I can assure you that South Africa is in this with both feet, and we are going to see this thing through,” said Colonel Reitz. “We realize that if the German., were to win this war we should become a German colony. We should suffer more than any other nation of the British Empire. We are not going to have that.” LOYALTY TO BRITISH CAUSE MOSLEMS IN PERSIAN GULF (British Official Wireles) RUGBY, November 18. The Sheik of Bahrein at a festival emphasized the gratitude which Moslems in the Persian Gulf owed to Britain for its help and protection both now and in the past. He stated that all Moslems were on *he side of the democratic Powers in the fight against Hitlerism. Profound loyalty to the King-Emperor and wholehearted sympathy with the British cause were placed on record by the Coorg Legislative Council, which offered its fullest co-operation and asked that a permanent unit of Coorg inhabitants be formed in the regular Indian Army.