EMPIRE’S WISE CO-OPERATION

Southland Times, Issue 24420, 28 April 1941, Page 6

EMPIRE’S WISE CO-OPERATION

POOLING OF IDEAS AND PLANS

VALUE OF AID IN WAR EFFORT

(8.0.W.) RUGBY, April 26. The Minister of Home Security (Mr Herbert Morrison) spoke at Guildford today on Empire co-operation in the war effort—a co-operation of peoples and Governments. Referring to the recent set-backs and disappointments in the Balkans and the Middle East, he said: “We know we must expect set-backs of this kind—Mr Churchill had warned us and our own common sense had put us on guard. We do not want to belittle these difficulties, which undoubtedly add to the burdens that must be borne by the armed forces and the peoples of the Empire. But we need to see these episodes in perspective. We need to see them against the background of what is becoming with increasing speed a world war. STRENGTH OF THE EMPIRE “Remember this advice if you look at maps, look at big maps. Big maps remind up of the tremendous strength of the Empire throughout the world—a strength which is being thrown more and more thoroughly and completely into the tasks of the war. “The support we draw from the Empire is of three kinds. First, there is man-power and fighting quality, a tremendous asset. Our soldiers welcome these superb brothers-in-arms. Our citizens and workers at home, standing up manfully to their burdens, are filled with encouragement to learn of the epic deeds of their fighting kinsmen. Second, there is the war production, where we are receiving assistance on a scale no man could have foreseen before the war. Last, and not least, support comes also in the council chambers. POOLING OF IDEAS “In the conduct of this war there is a pooling of ideas and plans among the Empire countries. The policies and strategies hammered out in our war councils owe much to the wise cooperation of responsible Governments in the great Dominions. When the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand are associated with us in. a great military enterprise they are associated equally closely in the formation of a policy in connection with that enterprise. This is sometimes spoken of as though it were done in fulfilment of a proper obligation to them, and that is true. But it is not the whole truth. It is done also because we need the help that their fresh, untrammelled minds bring to the council table.

“We are grateful at this moment to Australia for lending us her Prime Minister (Mr R. G. Menzies), whose presence here, which would have been a welcome asset at any time, is of exceptional value just now when the personal part which he plays contributes so much to the achievement of a unified Imperial policy. By lending to us for the time being the able services of Mr Menzies, Australia has added one more service to the common cause.” Mr Morrison added: “The Commonwealth may be sure that her Prime Minister watches her interests with care in the War Cabinet.”