STAND OR FALL WITH BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 23373, 16 September 1939, Page 11

STAND OR FALL WITH BRITAIN

ACTING PREMIER ON WAR WARNING AGAINST FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY [From Oor Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 15. Concluding Id’s speech in the House on New Zealand’s part in the war, the Acting Premier, Hon. P. Eraser, said: — “ The question of supplying the United Kingdom with an even wider range of commodities than is sent there from the Dominion at present is under consideration. It is the intention of the Government, as it is of the Parliament and the people of New Zealand, that the whole resources of the country will be throughly mobilised, efficiently organised, and effectively directed to assist to the utmost the British Commonwealth of Nations in the struggle for a democracy and freedom against dictatorship and tyranny. “ I feel sure that the people of New Zealand realise that in addition to the ties of blood, friendship, and political and economic co-operation and demooratice principles and ideals which bind the nations of the British Commonwealth so closely together, there are other overwhelming reasons which call for our greatest efforts at this time of national and international danger. New Zealand ns a nation is indissolubly bound up with the United Kingdom and other units of the Commonwealth. We stand or fall together, dwarfed or upright, of full stature, bound or free in war or peace, in defeat-or victory.

“Defeat might mean the collapse of the British Commonwealth and the domination of our land and our people by a foreign Power or Powers. The ruthless treatment of the Czecho-Slovakian, of the Austrian and of other unfortunate minority peoples conveys a startling warning to us all. The fact that we are so far from the actual existing fields of war operations should not engender a sense of false security and immunity.

“ Let there be no mistake. The future of New Zealand is at stake equally with that of Great Britain and tli© other democracies. The question for all of us to decide by the effectiveness of our efforts, and eo far as those efforts—necessarily and naturally circumscribed in extent by our resources and population—can_ contribute towards the ultimate decision, is whether this country, along ' with the Motherland, is to collapse in rnins, crushing all we hold dear in_ life, or in. association with the British Commonwealth, maintain, safeguard, and promote our progressive democratic political, social, and economic institutions ensuring to the people continued liberty, security, and happiness. That is the question New Zealand- has answered with a clarion call to all her citizens. That call has been responded to and will continue to be responded to, not with a blare of trumpets, but with a devotion and determination that spring straight from the heart of the people. “ To the men, Maori, and pakeha. who have responded so promptly and have already joined up, the Government, in the name of the Parliament: and the country tenders it special thanks. Victory for freedom, righteousness and all that is decent in civilisation, which is assured and to which New Zealand will contribute to the limits of her -resources, will be a victory for all men.” NATIONAL PARTY CO-OPERATION LEADER'S ASSURANCE [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON. Sentember 15. The decision that the National Party will maintain its organisation and will take is full share of the patriotic work in every part of the Dominion was made at a meeting of the Dominion Executive of the party, held in Wellington yesterday. Representatives were present from all parts of New Zealand. The Leader (Hon. A. Hamilton) said to-night that members were_ unanimous in this decision. He pointed out that the party had an organisation spread through all the districts, town and country, and with such rallying points as National Clubs and other similar institutions the party can and will concentrate in a widespread and effective drive in the interests of New Zealand’s support of the war efforts of the Mother Country and her Allies. This action will support the lead given by the parliamentary section of the party, which comprises the Opposition in the House of Representatives and which has already expressed its willingness to co-operate with the Government in its war effort. The party organisation will therefore concentrate on whatever form of patriotic endeavour is instituted in each district or centre.