ATTACK BY JAPANESE

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21664, 26 February 1942, Page 5

ATTACK BY JAPANESE

CONFIDENCE OF BRITAIN SIR S. CRIPPS SPEAKS (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 26, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 25 Sir Stafford Cripps, replying to the House of Commons war debate in his new capacity as Leader of the House, made two points with great emphasis—firstly that the present situation had grave aspects and, secondly—and leading from this—that luxury living and luxury spending had no place in Britain’s total war effort and would ruthlessly be eliminated.

“Mr Churchill and many members,” he said, “have stressed the darkness of the present stage of the war. Despite the gallantry of many allies who are supporting us today in the Far East—Dutch, Chinese and Americans—it is rightly emphasised that the added onslaught of the Japanese to the already enormous effort of Germany and her satellite powers has cast upon us a burden heavier than any we have yet borne.” Will Not Break British Sir Stafford added, amid cheers: “It is not the last straw and it will not break the back of the British people. We are no less confident today of ultimate victory, but for weeks, it may be months, we shall pass through times of acute anxiety and difficulty, and it is because of this that we must brace ourselves anew in our efforts for victory. The circumstances were grave and the Government was convinced it was the wish ol the people in Britain to treat this grave situation with all the seriousness and austerity it undoubtedly demanded. For 24 years the great majority of the people had been working their hardest in various spheres to give every nelp they could, but there still remained a minority who regarded their personal interests in a manner not consonant with the totality of the effort required. The Government was determined that such an attitude could not be permitted to exist.

“This attitude creates and spreads a sense of frustration and disappointment and must be dealt with ruthlessly whenever and wherever it occurs,” Sir Stafford continued. “We are not engaged in a war in which we can take as a maxim business as usual, or pleasure as usual. The Government proposes to take such measures as may be necessary to prevent abuse of the wishes of the majority of the people by any small or selfish- group. Personal extravagances must be eliminated, together with any other form of wastage, small or large, and any unnecessary expenditure.”