“TO VERY END”

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21144, 20 June 1940, Page 9

“TO VERY END”

DOMINION’S PART

EMPIRE’S GRIM TASK PREMIER’S STIRRING SPEECH VICTORY MUST COME (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Wednesday The Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, in a statement in the House of Representatives tonight, referred to the gravity of the situation in Europe and the heavy task the Empire is confronting in having to stand alone the whole of the war strength of the enemy. He made it clear that the people of the Dominion were in good heart, and are prepared to sup-

port Britain to the end of the struggle, for with the immense resources at the disposal of the Empire, victory could be finally achieved. Mr Fraser was applauded at the conclusion of his statement. “ There is no need for me to recount the successive stages of the rapid deterioration in the past few days,” the Prime Minister said. “ We all know that the French land forces have been overwhelmed, that the country is at this moment being overrun and that the French Government is endeavouring to arrange an armistice.

“ What the terms will be we can only guess, but one is justified in assuming that they will be both humiliating and harsh. Whether they are accepted or not it is manifestly clear that the British Commonwealth of Nations alone must bear the brunt of the struggle in which we are desperately engaged. “ There is no need for me to emphasise the determination of all of us to follow the course upon which we are set,” Mr Fraser continued. “No matter how hard the task or bitter the struggle, the British people are determined to continue the fight, not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because they are confident that they can succeed. We in New Zealand join with the other members of the British Commonwealth in pledging ourselves to this end.”

The Prime Minister said that last Saturday the Government had reaffirmed that pledge on behalf of the people of New Zealand in a message to Mr Churchill stating that, whatever decision the British Government took m the present most difficult circumstances, it would be understood accepted and supported by New Zealand to the very end. At the same time, the Government had again pledged New Zealand to every form of assistance within its power, and had said that, with the sole desire to render the maximum help, the Government would gladly consider suggestions of any kind that the British Government might think it desirable to make. Mr Churchill’s Reply A lengthy and inspiring reply had been received the following day from Mr Churchill. Mr Fraser quoted the final paragraph of this reply as follows: “No one can predict ot guarantee the course of a life-and-death struggle of this character, but we shall certainly enter upon it in good heart. There are solid reasons behind our n w to allow the fate of France, whatever it may be, to deter us from going on to the end. Even if we should be beaten down, it will always be possible to send our fleets across the ocean, where they will protect the Empire and enable it to continue the war and blockade until the Hitler regime breaks under the strain. We shall let you know at every stage how you can help, being sure that you will do all in human power, as we for our part are entirely resolved to do.” Life and Death Struggle It was not necessary for him to emphasise that the people of the British Empire were fighting for their lives, Mr Fraser said, and this was a time for wholehearted effort and unstinting sacrifice. Everything must be devoted to one thing—victory. Profits, incomes, hours of labour, privileges, political party feelings and prejudices were as but dust in the balance compared with the great and menacing danger that threatened. All these must be surrendered, for if personal and factional considerations could not be set aside we were not great enough to retain our liberty. “The British people have determined. with a full realisation of the dangers involved, to carry on the struggle whatever happens—to carry it on alone, if necessary, for years.” Mr Fraser concluded. “As Mr Churchill told the House to-day, the battle of Britain is about to begin, and upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilisation. “It is a battle which the British peoples are proud to fight, and we in New Zealand are still more proud to be associated with them at this solemn and fateful hour. All I can say at this moment is that the people oi New Zealand will not fail.”