NO PARALLEL

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21356, 26 February 1941, Page 7

NO PARALLEL

BRITISH COURAGE FORCES AND CIVILIANS SIR CYRIL NEWALL’S STORY (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Tuesday “ May I here publicly, and in the capital of this great and growing Dominion, pay my personal tribute to those magnificent lads of the Royal Air Force and of the Dominion Air Forces serving with them, who, by their skill, courage and devotion to duty, have undoubtedly altered the course of history,” said the GovernorGeneral, Sir Cyril Newall, at the civic reception in Wellington. Plans for the invasion of the Homeland were far advanced, he he said, and an essential preliminary was the defeat of the Air Force engaged in its defence. But that was not to be. “ The Royal Air Force, with its brothers irom the Dominions, had hurled back the attacking hordes. It was an epic example of quality—both of human character and mechanical perfection —defeating quantity. ” I also acknowledge with pride your tribute to the other branches of His Majesty’s Services and to the people of Britain,” he said. “ The Royal Navy, the Army, the Royal Air Force, the Merchant Navy, the police, the fire-fighters, the air raid precaution services, the war workers, and the ordinary men, women and children of Britain have, each and all, been worthy of the other, and as a team and have shown, and are showing an example of civic and combatant courage and sacrifice without parallel in the annals of history. Women Play Heroic Part “ I would like to emphasise the magnificent part being played by women throughout the country,” Sir Cyril ing in large numbers in all the services which I have mentioned. They are enduring the same hardships and dangers as the men, and many are being rewarded for gallantry in the face of the enemy. One and all, 1 salute them for their courage, devotion and example.” Conditions in England today were difficult and complicated. There were restrictions on certain food commodities and other imported articles. Those were irksome. There was, however, no shortage of food, but householders could not afford waste in any shape or form. Every possible ship was required for the importation of munitions and raw materials necessary for the active prosecution of the war. In addition to that there was the black-out. No glimmer of light was allowed to. show from any building during certain hours. That was a serious complication of life. It meant that shops and offices had to close earlier, and it interfered greatly with transportation services. The whole country was patrolled day and night by Home Guards, and fire-fighting and other air raid precaution services were in constant readiness. Citizenship of Highest Order Thousands of the workers who worked at their normal vocations throughout the day assumed voluntary duties as soon as they got home. They acted as air raid wardens, firefighters, ambulance drivers, firewatchers, mobile canteen workers, factory look-outs to give warning of approaching aircraft, and many other services essential to the defence of the country. “I think you will agree that this is a fine example of citizenship of the highest order. By their devotion to duty they have greatly reduced the loss of life and property resulting from air attack,” added Sir Cyril.