CONFIDENCE IN MEN

Southland Times, Issue 24112, 29 April 1940, Page 8

CONFIDENCE IN MEN

“Will Noblv Perform Their Tasks” TROOPS ADDRESSED BY PRIME MINISTER (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 27. “I know that those fighting overseas will nobly perform the tasks allotted to them, and I would like to assure them today that those who remain behind will not fail in their tasks either,” said the Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser) addressing the troops of the 2nd Echelon at Parliament House. They were there to do honour to the soldiers of the 2nd Echelon and he wished the men to know that their ready response had been received with deep gratitude by their fellow countrymen. “We take great pride in the fact that our soldiers are volunteers upon whom no compulsion has been brought to bear, that our army is composed of men who bear willingly the arms they have so freely taken up, who have weighed the issues for themselves and each of whom has responded to the call of his own conscience,” said Mr Fraser. Today it was clear to everyone that the cruel fate of Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Denmark and Norway would be theirs if they failed in the hour of danger. But there would be no failure. The British peoples had taken up the challenge with a full realization of the sacrifices involved, and a grim determination to rid the world once and for all of a monstrous force which had come to be a continual menace to all peace and freedom.

The interests of the men going overseas would not be neglected, he said. “We will see to it that their dependents are cared for and that they themselves, on their return, will be reabsorbed into the everyday life of the community in a manner that befits the risks and sacrifices they are now undertaking. On behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand, I desire to wish you a victorious and just conclusion to the struggle upon which you are now engaged.” The Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) said that the 2nd Echelon was a force worthy of their traditions. He was absolutely certain that the men were being farewelled by a very proud and very grateful people. If he were asked to sum up in one word the quality which had brought honour to the nafne New Zealander, he would choose courage. That quality was found personified in the pioneers, in the Anzacs, and in all the men of the Ist Expeditionary Force —“men whose honour and glory are your inheritance. You are worthy successors to defend that honour. I see in your faces the strength of purpose of men who appreciate the task confronting them and who face it with courage and resource, he added.