INDEPENDENCE DAY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 238, 5 July 1944, Page 4

INDEPENDENCE DAY

American Celebration N.Z. CONGRATULATIONS

“Today the American people at home and in the battle fronts of Europe, Asia aud the Pacific are celebrating Independence Day—the day they have set aside for the celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the then 13 States of the Union in 1776,” said the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones,, at a screening of New Zealand films in the Majestic Theatre. Wellington, yesterday, at an Independence Day gathering. Mr. Jones apologized for the absence of the Acting-Prime Minister, Mr. Sullivan. “The world has conic to recognize the Declaration as one of the noblest charters of freedom given to mankind, said Mt. Jones. “Thus during a war in which freedom-loving nations are standing united against ruthless military aggression..these celebrations have a particular, significance. Americans are throwing the whole weight of their great nation into the struggle because they realize with us that if the aggressor triumphed their celebrations of the signing of this great document and all it implies would cease. No more would we be able to speak of the dignity of man and the democratic instrument of government which Thomas Jefferson and his colleagues envisaged in the eloquen* words of the Declaration. The theory of the natural rights of man would be cast aside; political and economic slavery would replace the basic principle on which they have built their great nation. n , On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand. Mr. Jones, extended congratulations to the American people and assured them how much New Zealanders appreciated their assistance in this war. The association of the two countries in the present struggle had brought them closer together and strengthened the bonds of friendship between them for all time.