THE FRENCHMAN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 11, 2 February 1942, Page 5

THE FRENCHMAN

WHAT DOES HE THINK ABOUT ? •- "Two. years ago a Frenchman was as free as you are. To-day what does he think— — : as he humbly steps into the gutter to let his conquerors swagger past, —as he works 53 hours a week for 30 hours' pay, —as he' sees all trade unions outlawed and all the 'rights' for which he sacrificed his country trampled by his foreign masters, •—as he sees his wife goi hungry and his children face a lifetime of serfdom? "What does that Frenchmansoldier, workman, politician or business man —think to-day? Probably it's something like this—'l wish I had been less greedy for myself and more anxious for my country; 1 wish I had realised you can't; beat off a determined invader by a quarrelling, disunited people at home; t wish X had been willing to give .in on some of my rights to other Frenchmen instead of giving up all of them for a foreigner; I wish I had realised other Frenchmen had rights, too; I wish I had known that patriotism is work, no>t talk, giving, not getting." "And if that Frenchman could head' our newspapers to-day, showing pressure groups each demanding things to be done for them instead of for our country, wouldn't he say to American business men, politicians, soldiers and workmen — 'tf you knew the horrible penalty your action is bound to bring, you'd burj r your differences now before they bury you; you'd work for your country as you never worked be-, fore, and wait for your private anvbitions until your country is safe. Look at me ... I worked too little and too late.'" (An advertisement —published by Warner and Swasey, machine tool manufacturers o>f .Cleveland, U.S.A. —Avhich contains a message of vital importance for everyone.)