ENTERED THE LISTS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21037, 13 February 1940, Page 5

ENTERED THE LISTS

FIGHT AGAINST OPPRESSION MR FRASER'S ANNOUNCEMENT MEN ALL IN GOOD HEALTH (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Monday ‘On behalf of the Prime Minister and Government, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the first echelon of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force has disembarked safely in Egypt.” said the deputy-Prime Minister, the lion. P. Fraser, in an announcement tonight. “The British Navy has again demonstrated its protective strength in safely convoying troops from outposts of the British Commonwealth of Nations. It has done so in this instance just as efficiently as it guarded the transportation of the British Expeditionary Force across the English Channel to France. Good Health and Spirits “It is a great source of gratification and thankfulness to us all,” Mr Fraser continued, “that our men have arrived safely and, we are informed, in good health and excellent spirit. They have gone overseas with the high purpose of serving personally in the struggle for democracy and civilisation. “They have literally, along with so many brave men from the United Kingdom and other British Dominions, and in co-operation with our gallant French Allies, entered the lists against forces which, if triumphant, would overthrow everything the people of Kew Zealand hold dear in our political, social, economic, moral and spiritual life, and which would reduce our country to the position of a vassal State and our people to a condition of hopeless servitude. Service To The Nation “These gallant pioneers who have answered the call, a call inseparable from our nationhood, excited admiration when they marched through our cities on the eve of their departure,” said Mr Fraser. “They are typical New Zealanders, mostly by birth and some by adoption, and they have decided to stand shoulder to shoulder with the fighting men of every nation which is prepared to take a stand for international freedom because they hate bondage.

“The people of the Dominion will be glad to know our soldiers travelled in ships of the best class. Having had an opportunity of inspecting them personally along with the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, I can vouch for that fact. Every possibleprovision was made for their comfort and wellbeing, and they were generally provided for in a manner fit for men who are ready to perform the most immediate and by far the most important service possible in this nation's behalf. The naval escort was not only adequate but was most imposing. Community Thanked “So many people were responsible for the organisation necessary to successfully to complete the embarkation of the New Zealand soldiers that 1 could not wen attempt to thank them individually. The community effort involved the service of many, including all those engaged in transport and workers on the waterfront and elsewhere. In this connection there were some fine performances. The expeditious despatch of a transport from Lyttelton, necessitating all night work on the part of many men, was an outstanding example. “Comforts in great variety and in substantial quantity were placed on all the ships by the National PatrioticFund Board and the generous-hearted citizens who made these gifts possible deserve our thanks. On behalf of the Government and people of Ne - Zealand 1 most sincerely thank all who assisted.”