EMPIRE’S UNITY OF PURPOSE

Southland Times, Issue 24369, 25 February 1941, Page 5

EMPIRE’S UNITY OF PURPOSE

(British Official Wireless) RUGBY, February 23. An impression of how united is the Empire behind Britain’s war effort was gained from the broadcast today by the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr R. G. Menzies. “You must never even be tempted to think that your fight is a lonely one,” he said. “I am sure that I speak not only for Australia, but for the whole British Empire beyond the seas when I say to you that we are wholly with you in this war. Everything we have in

man-power or treasure, in skill or determination is pledged to work and to fight for you and with you until victory is attained, and a better and a more just day dawns for the world in which our children are to live.

“This is supported by every deed of which we are capable,” continued Mr Menzies. “The total population of Australia is considerably less than the population of London, but the Australian Imperial Force is already an Army Corps of four divisions, which have already struck their blows. I have visited the Mediterranean ships of the Royal Australian Navy which, from the day the war broke out, co-operated with yours in the seven seas, and have by their skill and fighting qualities not subtracted from the glories of the Royal Navy. “I have seen the Empire air training scheme grow in power until it has brought into training not hundreds, but thousands of young Australians who are entering the air war with their brothers in Britain and the Dominions, destined to see the British Empire mistress of the air just as she has been, these many generations, the sure protector of the seas.”