The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1941. ALLIES AND PROUD OF IT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, 2 May 1941, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1941. ALLIES AND PROUD OF IT

DURING the passage of these days of stress it is good to consider for a moment the wonderful unity of Empire which has arisen to meet the Nazi scourge. It is from the little units of Empire that the most amazing expressions of loyalty have been forthcoming. From Princes of Africa and Malaya, from Colonial Governments, from humble men— and women and children: —from the . West Indies to the South Seas, gifts in money and kind, are pouring in. It was the Colonies who first started the "'Spitfire Funds." To-day there is a gathering tide of gifts for fighter and bomber aircraft. During the past twenty years Malaya has raised £20,000,000 for Imperial defence, and-since the war began she has sent £9i millions more. The Government of Trinidad has given £520,000 and has also lent £520,000 free of interest for the duration of the war. Ceylon has contributed more than £400,000 for the purchase of aircraft. From Sierra Leone has come a contribution of £100,000 "in grateful recognition of the great benefits which Sierra Leone has received during the last 153 years under the British flag. The spirit that will win this war is equally to be found in the gifts of the poor. example, the native tribes of Africa, are contributing not money alone, but gifts of cattle from their herds, and produce from their harvests. The people of the Colonial Empire are also ready to lay down their lives. Facing the Italians on the frontiers of Kenya are the King's African Rifles, fighting side by side with the European forces of East Africa a.nd Southern Rhodesia. With them are units from the Gold Coast, Nigeria and Northern Rhodesia. The ranks of the Royal West African Frontier Force are swollen with eager volunteers. On the roll of honour there are many other names —the King's Own Malta Regiment, The Royal Malta Artillery, the Cyprus Regiment, the Malay Regiment —and territorial forces raised all over the Colonial Empire.