PAINFUL DUTY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21159, 8 July 1940, Page 9

PAINFUL DUTY

TAKING OF FRENCH FLEET PRIME MINISTER’S COMMENT (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sunday “ I am sure the Governments and peoples of the British Commonwealth are all in complete agreement that no other course could be adopted,” said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, when commenting tonight on the action taken by Britain against the French Fleet. “ It was obviously vital to Britain,” said the Prime Minister, “ that the French ships should be prevented from surrendering to the Germans under the terms of the armistice and, however distasteful the action necessary—and I know that the decision was taken with extreme reluctance and sincere sorrow—the British Government could not shrink from issuing those fateful orders. “ Everyone will sympathise with the Fiench people and with the French sailors for the terrible dilemma in whic hthey found themselves, ma in which they found themselves, people of this country are, I am sure, greatly heartened by this further example of the effectiveness of the British Navy and the resolute will of the British Government.”