MUST NOT LET UP

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21784, 14 October 1940, Page 7

MUST NOT LET UP

Britain Has Big Task Ahead Workers In Front Line British Official Wireless (Received October 13, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, October 12. The Minister of National Service (Mr Ernest Bevin), broadcasting, paid a tribute to the way in which Londoners were facing up to air raids. “We have had to face indiscriminate and brutal bombing of our cities and countryside. London can be said to have been in the front line trenches, and marvellously have the people in the metropolis stood the strain.” To the workers of the nation generally Mr Bevin said: “We have called upon you to work long hours to increase production, to submit to regulations and, in a variety of ways, to contribute to the tremendous war effort, and when the full story can be told it will represent a complete vindication of democracy and be a demonstration that free people can do better and achieve more formidable results than any Nazi-driven race. As a result of these months of efforts our confidence has increased and the cocksureness of our enemies has given place to doubt. This utilisation of the latent forces of the country and the fighting quality of our men have produced respect among those who, up to the moment, have not fully come in to assist the cause of liberty and, amongst millions of people in countries that have been overthrown, have recaptured hope for the final overthrow of the spoiler of their lands. But this does not mean that we can rest or for a moment let up in our effort to bring this terrific struggle to a successful conclusion. In fact, the time has now come w’hen in the most cold-blooded, determined manner we must Intensify our efforts.” Invasion Danger Not Past Regarding an Invasion, Mr Bevin said: “The danger Is not past and will not pass until the enemy is driven from the countries he has ravaged. He may lull us Into a false position by turning in another direction, but we must keep our eyes open and our ears to the ground ever waiting and watchful and with the whole of our forces well equipped to be ready to pounce upon him Immediately he makes a move and be ready to meet him in combat whichever way he may turn. By that means we shall keep inviolate this country. Really, the speedy final triumph in this war depends not only upon the Government but upon every manager, scientist and worker in every workshop, building, dock, transport concern and laboratory in the country. We have not neglected relaxation and I am grateful to all who are helping to organise entertainment for our working people, both in working and in off duty hours. But my task tonight is to try to inspire the people of this country in the industrial field to the most tremendous effort in regard to production that ever has been made, so that when a town or district is attacked and calls are made for more defence, guns are ready—you have to make them. As the enemy throws his challenge in the air, we have an abundance of aeroplanes and pilots to meet it, as the sea raider or U-boat or even an enemy fleet Itself challenges us, our men in the Navy will not be short of a single shell or the necessary steel or equipment they require. As our merchantmen sail the sea bringing us our food, raw materials, equipment and the demand for greater protection from convoys, the Navy should be supplied with the ships to do It. As material is provided for shelters we must build them as fast as we can. Where the enemy damaged the homes of our people we must set forth as speedily as possible to make them habitable and so protect families from wintry elements. All these form a contribution to establishing our superiority. It will be a mercy to the world if Britain achieves this end, for then the Junkers of Germany and the Nazis will cry off. To no other thing will the German ever submit but superior overwhelming force, and who can give us that overwhelming force but you who are engaged in this industrial enterprise of the country?”