PROTECTOR OF CIVILISATION

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21052, 2 March 1940, Page 7

PROTECTOR OF CIVILISATION

GALLANT STAND BY FINLAND WANTS PEACE, BUT BOMBED AND SHELLED WORLD-WIDE INDIGNATION AT WANTON ASSAULT (Official Wireless) (Received March. 2, 11.40 a.m.) RUGBY, March 1 At a largely-attended meeting at the Mansion House today, under the auspices of the British Finland Fund, the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke of the world-wide indignation at the wanton assault by a great Power on a small, peace-loving nation, the only reason for which, he said, was the Russian desire to increase its power and resources at Finland’s expense. The Archbishop said: “Finland is truly the protector of civilisation,” and continued: “Many must wish that we could help Finland in the form she most needs, with manpower. But we must remember the responsibility resting upon the Government and our ally in the struggle in which we are engaged. We must also remember with sympathy the position of Finland’s neighbours, menaced as they are by Germany on the one side and Russia upon the other.” Lord Snell and the Finnish Minister also spoke, the latter saying that his people, wishing no harm to anyone and only desiring to live in peace, yet had been subjected to daily bombing and shelling. The president of the fund said the appeal had met with a generous response and now totalled £IBO,OOO, but unlimited support was required to meet the needs during the next few months.