EMPIRE UNITY

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20952, 3 November 1939, Page 5

EMPIRE UNITY

HELP OF DOMINIONS MEETING NAZI MENACE GREAT DETERMINATION (Omclai Wireless) (Received Nov. 3, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 2 The 'Prime Minister, in the House of Commons, described the consultations between representatives of the Dominion and Indian Governments now taking place in London as a “striking demonstration of the united determination of the Empire, and said: “The fuller knowledge which we shall gain of the plans of the different Governments as a result of the presence of their Ministerial representatives here, will be of great value to us. “Equally striking is the wholehearted co-operation we are receiving from all parts of the Empire, including Burma, and from the colonies. The colonies have not been forced into the war by Great Britain against their will. The action of so many peoples of various races is witness to their consciousness that the threat to Great Britain is equally a threat to that freedom and well-being which have been assured to them under British rule.” Although the war effort of the colonies at the beginning of the war could be mainly economic, Mr Chamberlain wished to thank all those in the colonies who had offered personal service. The voluntary offers throughout the Empire had so far exceeded Britain’s immediate requirements. Opposition Leader’s Tribute Mr C. R. Attlee, leader of the Opposition, following the Prime Minister, also paid a warm tribute to the spontaneous offers of help from the Empire. He welcomed the arrival in England of the Empire delegates, and felt sure that the value of the conversations was not limited to the material side but also touched the spiritual side. Unifying War Effort Consultations between the visiting representatives of the Dominion and Indian Governments and the United Kingdom Ministers continued to-day, when progress was made in the task of unifying and strengthening the war effort exerted by the British Commonwealth as a whole. Individual conversations took place in the morning, particularly on questions concerning civil aviation and shipping. By this means special problems affecting one or two only of the Dominions can, it has been found, be most expeditiously handled. In the afternoon the strategic needs and problems of the Empire as a whole were under review. The overseas representatives were entertained at a Mansion House luncheon by the Lord Mayor. The pronouncements which the representatives of the Dominion and Indian Government press made on the Minister’s arrival here, gave evidence of the eager desire of these great Dominions to be ranged actively with Great Britain in this time of crisis, and it can be said that the Ministers have carried that spirit of loyal and friendly co-operation into the consultations of the last two days.