DEEDS, NOT WORDS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21819, 23 November 1940, Page 7

DEEDS, NOT WORDS

Prime Minister’s Call To Nation British Official Wireless (Received November 22, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, November 21. “Up to the present the war has been waged between fully-armed Germany and a quarter or half-armed British Empire." These words came towards the end of Mr Churchill’s statement in the House of Commons at the opening of the new session. Mr Churchill spoke of two wars being waged in the Mediterranean theatre, one of which —the defence of Egypt and the Suez Canal—looked rather doubtful and difficult a few months ago, but at present it gave a measure of confidence. Britain would give a good account of herself when the invading forces advanced, numerically superior though they might be. “Taken by surprise and struck by a felon’s blow, the Greeks have already almost entirely purged their soil of the conscript invaders who have been launched upon them in an enterprise which cannot be described as other than pure, unmitigated brigandage. Deeds, Not Words, Needed “I feel that deeds, not words, are what are expected of us and I certainly hope that we will be able to give, from our resources, which are always heavily strained, a helpful measure of assistance to the Greeks and that we will be able to discharge our responsibilities to Egypt in defending its soil and guarding the vital artery of the Suez Canal.” Indicating the business of the House Mr Churchill said he saw no reason why the process of general debates should not be continued. He recalled that this was really a revival of ancient Parliamentary practice when Government business was disposed of with considerable expedition. The House devoted itself to debate large and general topics of public interest. Great questions interesting to the nation which were occupying the press should also be the subject of current discussion in the House of Commons. Balm of Confidence “This time honoured ceremonial, a procedure in which the Crown and Parliament have played their parts to-day, carry with them to anxious minds, a balm of confidence and certainty. “When our beloved Sovereign and the Queen come from the battered Palace to this building which is not without evidence of the strokes of war, when oui' Sovereign comes to open Parliament in person and calls on his faithful to discharge their duties, we are in touch at every step—in every measure, in formality, in every resolution we pass—we are in touch with customs and traditions which go back far beyond the Parliamentary conflicts of the seventeenth century.”