BRITISH MORALE

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21356, 26 February 1941, Page 4

BRITISH MORALE

NO MERCY ASKED NAZIS WILL BE BEATEN INSPIRING MESSAGES Much has been written by correspondents of British and neutral countries of the wonderful morale of the British people and the amazing manner in which they are standing up to the brutal bombing of Germany’s air force. The reports have come from such wide sources that their authenticity cannot be doubted. Further confirmation of the real determination of the British people to see the war through to victory is contained in a series of letters from large manufacturing firms in Britain received by a well-known Hamilton firm today. “Any accounts you may have heard of the morale of the people here are by no means exaggerated,” stated a letter from the chief executive of one firm with 2000 employees. “Far from inclining people to peace by his methods, the Boche has merely resulted in making everyone fighting mad, and has produced a determination that in no circumstances or in any conditions will we make peace until the enemy is battered to his knees. Control of Businesses “Life as we knew it is completely changed. Everyone’s personal affairs are subordinated to the war effort, and this will be increasingly the case as the war progresses. In the way of food supplies there is plenty for everybody providing one is content to receive what one is offered. At the present time the whole country seems to be existing largely on New Zealand lamb. We shall not complain if we have to endure ‘hardships’ of this description for a further ten years.”

The letter went on to say that most big manufacturers had turned almost entirely to war contracts. Private business was strictly and deliberately controlled. The output of one of the lines from his factory was limited to 25 per cent of the value before the war. As prices had risen considerably it actually meant that the quantity offered for sale was only 16 per cent of that offered the previous year. The purchase tax of 33 1-3 per cent on his particular line had been deliberately imposed to reduce consumption. “We do not complain about these various enactments and we expect them to become more severe as time goes c'n,” adds the letter. “Naturally a policy of this kind cannot be carried through without producing some casualties, and several concerns in our line have had to close up and find some other means of making a living. No Doubts in England “We may be an insular sort of people, or possibly we may be stubborn and unimaginative, but it astonishes us to read extracts from some American and other neutral papers suggesting some sort of doubt regarding the eventual outcome. No one here doubts that there can only be one outcome, and that is that we must eventually win.” The following is an extract from a letter from another large concern: “The whole Empire is now going through an ordeal which will toughen its fibres, refining and strengthening it beyond the possibilities of ordinary conditions. We do appreciate your help from ‘Down Under,’ and although we are in the front line here we know that you are furnishing everything possible in material and spiritual help. We believe here that however long the war lasts it can only end ip victory of light over darkness.” “On the whole the essentials of life go on pretty much as usual,” says another letter. “Certain delicacies are no longer obtainable, but as a nation and as individuals we are very well fed and our social services are going on splendidly. There are some places in the country that have been damaged by enemy action, but we clean up the mess and carry on in the conviction that while we are returning the compliment in some measure, we shall eventually be in a position to be more generous to ‘that man’ in the way of giving out punishment than he has been to us. More and More Annoyed “We do not like the treatment we have had, and we are getting more and more annoyed. You may tell your friends in New Zealand that when our turn comes we shall be very deliberate in carrying out our counter-offensive. “Everyone appreciates what is being done to assist the common cause by our kinsmen in the Dominions, and also those very good friends in the United States of America. The assistance is necessary. We feel confident that it will continue and that the outcome of the struggle will be victory for our cause.” “I think the Britisher is of a peculiar makeup,” states another j letter. “It is astonishing what jokes are made of the attempts by Germany to frighten the civil population. They evidently do not understand us. In fact, their efforts are having the opposite effect, as when the people are not joking they are discussing how they are going to pay off the old scores.”