HITLER'S ERROR

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23974, 15 June 1943, Page 5

HITLER'S ERROR

Strong Ties That Link Empire LORD BURGHLEY PRAISES NEW ZEALAND “On behalf of the people in the Old Country. I want to express to you people in New Zealand our gratitude for what you have done in this war,” said Lord Burghley, M.P.. British Controller of Repair and Overseas Supplies, an official of the Imperial Air Ministry, when speaking in Christchurch yesterday. The former world-famous athlete went on to say that one of the greatest mistakes that Hitler had made was to under-estimate the ties that bound the British Commonwealth of Nations. “All he can understand," he added, "are force and fear.” Experience in his running days, continued Lord Burghley (who was speaking to members of the Christchurch Businessmen's Club at luncheon) had taught him never to underestimate an opponent. But that was just precisely what Hitler had done. Lord Burghley was accompanied by the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash), the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr E. H. Andrews), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland), and Group Captain C. B. Wincott (who is attached to the visiting British Parliamentarian’s staff). The party was welcomed by officials of the club. A Great Journey It had long been his intention to visit New Zealand, said Lord Burghley who was received with applause, as ’the Dominion had long ago been “sold” to him by New Zealand friends in London. The visitor mentioned, m particular. Dr. Arthur E. Porritt, another distinguished athlete, as one of his best friends. “This has been a great journey for us,” said Lora Burghley, commenting on his trip out in the Lancaster bomber, “and I have much pleasure in conveying to you the personal greetings of the Air Minister, Sir Stafford Cripps.” Referring to the giant bomber, ne remarked: “I believe that the Lancaster is one of the best bombers m the world. It is a credit to the brilliance of its designers, to the craft of the men in the industry who made it, and to the efficiency of the Australian crew—one member of which, I believe, was born in this country . . . who flew it out.” Since March, the speaker said, he had flown more than 20, 0 M miles. After expressing his gratification ®t New Zealand’s war effort. Lord Burghley alluded to the Netv Zealand Division in North Africa. “These men of yours.” he said, “have become almost a legend. They have tasted the bitterness of defeat, but now they are tasting the joys of victory. Their efforts have meant the end of the famed Afrika Korps. In the words of our great Prime Minister. Mr Winston Churchill, ‘the soft under-belly of our foe is now exposed,’ and I can assure you that it is being tickled to a very pretty tune.” The importance of the North African campaign, he continued, would have its effect upon shipping, one of the great problems of the war. Now that the Mediterranean was again open for British vessels, the situation would be considerably relieved. “Now, for a word about the people In the Old Country,” said Lord Burghley. “You will be glad to know that their spirit was never better than it is today. Every man and woman is,of the determined opinion that the all-im-portant task is the defeat of the enemy. By a mere thread we held out after Dunkirk. But to-day we have an enormous output of munitions. The women, in particular, are doing a magnificent job.” Since 1942, he explained, there had been an increase of 42 per cent, in the number of women engaged in British industry. More Heavy Bombers During the last three months there had been a 50 per cent, increase in the structure weight of aeroplanes produced as against the corresponding period last year. There were now three and a half times as many heavy bombers being produced than at'this time last year. “We have had a lead on the enemy in quality since the Battle of Britain,” said Lord Burghley. “and we are retaining it with a rate of interest which the most parsimonious could not say was inadequate." Of late we have seen the strength of the Air Arm fighting in association with the Royal Navy against the Italian island fortresses in the Mediterranean. "This war is a world war,” said Lord Burghley. “We must never lose sight of that fact. We cannot divide one part of it from another. Whether we are fighting Japan or dealing with the Hun, those in charge of strategy will use our forces to hit the enemy in such a way as to end the war in the shortest possible time. There is more severe fighting ahead. It will be some time before this war is over.” Lord Burghley declared that although the United Kingdom might seem a long way off, his trip in the Lancaster had proved how close it actually was to New Zealand. “Though divided in space,” he added, “we are near in sentiment, and I can assure you that we are not going to drop our war effort by one iota.” „ On his return to Britain, he added, it would be his pleasure and duty to inform the people of what he termed “the grand spirit that existed in this most important outpost of the Empire.”