BRITAIN WILL NOT FALTER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21819, 23 November 1940, Page 8

BRITAIN WILL NOT FALTER

King’s Confidence In Victory British Official Wireless RUGBY, November 21. The new session of Parliament, the normal life of which has been prolonged for one year, was opened today by the King, who was accompanied by the Queen. “My peoples and my Allies are united in their resolve to continue the fight against the aggressor nations until freedom is made secure. Then only can nations be released from oppression and violence and again work together on a basis of ordered liberty and social justice. “I am confident that victory is assured, not only by the prowess of the armed forces of my Empire, and those of my Allies, but also by the devotion of the civil defence forces and the tenacity and industry of our own peoples. These are now enduring, where they live and labour, the perils as well as the hardships of war. The staunchness of the men of the merchant and fishing fleets has added lustre to the ancient traditions of the sea. The resistance of my people has won the admiration of other friendly Powers. Greece Welcomed As Ally “Taking advantage of Frencn misfortunes, Italy seized the opportunity to range herself with the aggressor, and has now launched a wanton attack on Greece. I welcome in the struggle against tyranny a new comrade to whom my Empire will bring all possible aid. By her courageous resistance, Greece is proving herself worthy of her glorious past. “My forces in the Mediterranean are prepared to give a good account of themselves in all emergencies, and my country enjoys in that region the benefit of valued treaties of alliance with Egypt and Turkey. “With gratification I learnt of the decision of the United States to transfer 50 destroyers to my Navy, and I trust that the grant to the United States of defence facilities in certain territories on the Atlantic seaboard may equally serve the defence of the heritage of free men. “The frustration of German plans for an invasion of Britain, the attacks upon sources of German military

power, the firm defence of Egypt and the Sudan, and the successful attack upon the Italian navy give proof of our strength and justify our confidence in final victory. “Our relations with the United States could not be more cordial, and I learn with the utmost satisfaction of the ever increasing volume of munitions of war which are arriving from that country. It is good to know, in these fateful times, how widely shared are the ideals of ordered freedom, justice, and security. Aims Will Be Achieved “Legislative measures of the new session include a scheme for compensation for property destroyed and damaged by enemy action and the amendment of the public assistance procedure. Apart from these and such other measures as may be required for the effective prosecution of the war, my Government will take every pos-

sible step to sustain the health and well-being of my people in their ordeal.” At the close of the previous session yesterday, the King’s prorogation speech was read by the Lord Chancellor. His Majesty said: “By calculated treachery and violence, Germany has brought under her yoke many free nations which were devoted to the arts and peace. I have been happy to receive here the Governments of countries thus overrun. I rejoice that their armed forces, together with brave men of other nations, are now fighting side by side with our own. “In the early summer France was overtaken by a military disaster. The present war is not only a struggle between nations. It springs from a clash over fundamental ideals. We shall not falter or lay aside our arms until the high purposes to which we have pledged our faith are achieved.”