PLEDGED WORD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20033, 4 September 1939, Page 4

PLEDGED WORD

CAUSE OF JUSTICE DEMOCRACY AT STAKE BRITAIN AND DOMINION “INEVITABLY FORCED” (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Governor-General of New Zealand, Viscount Galway, has sent the following cable message to the Secretary of State for Dominions Affairs: "With reference to the intimation just received, that a state of (var exists between the United Kingdom and Germany, His Majesty’s Government in New Zealand desires immediately to associate itself with Hiis Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom in honouring its pledged word. “It entirely concurs with the action taken, which it regards as , inevitably forced upon the British Commonwealth, if the cause of justice, freedom and democracy is to endure in thi's world. “The existence of a slate of war with Germany accordingly has been proclaimed in New Zealand, and His Majesty’s Government in New Zealand would be grateful if His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom Avould take any steps that may be necessary to indicate to the German Government that His Majesty’s Government in New Zealand associates itself, in this matter, with the action taken by the Government in the United Kingdom. “The New Zealand Government Avishcs to offer to the British Government the fullest assurance of all possible support. It is convinced that the step that has been taken will meet with the approval of the people of this Dominion, and it will give the fullest consideration in due course to any suggestion of the British Government as to the method or methods by which this Dominion can best assist in the common cause.”

ing. It is safe to say that, in this important regard, history has, to-day, been repeated. Once again, too, the Allies will, Avith every confidence, place full reliance upon Britain’s invincible fleets and her unequalled sailor-men and know, for certain, that they will be adequately backed up by the French navy. As on the occasion of the titanic struggle of 1914-18, Germany Avill rely almost Avholly on her huge military machine. Bui, to counter it, France has now her famous Maginot defence line and, to-day, it stands ready manned. Whether it wili be given a violent lest on a big scale at an early date remains to be seen. If Germany is prepared to hammer away at it. it will be all to the Allies' advantage. The greatest lesson of the war on. land twenty-five years ago Avas that nothing proved more exhausting than heavy offensives on a large scale. On her part, Britain will not, this time, be hampered in developing her land forces as was the case at the outset of the first Great War, when the voluntary system of enlistment Avas, for all too long, persevered with. To-day, every fit man in Britain —married as well as single—is liable to military service. The only uncertain factor will be the value of air fleets in a war such as this between major nations. Everybody must realise that huge air fleets, if not adequately countered, must be capable of doing immense damage. But Germany will find that Britishers and Frenchman will prove as valorous in the air as on land or at sea. Apart from their huge armament resources, the Allies have again on their side the greatest of all allies —the knowledge that their’s is a just cause. As in the case ot the first Great War, this comforting fact will sustain them through any trials which may have to be endured and help them to bear any sacrifices that may require to be made. With Mr. Chamberlain, than whom no other man ever did more to preserve peace, the people of loyal New Zealand, as well as those of the Mother'land and of the other Dominions, will ; not doubt that, in the end, “Right will Prevail.”