Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1940. OUR AIM IS VICTORY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 142, 16 May 1940, Page 8

Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1940. OUR AIM IS VICTORY.

lif a speecli which will go down in history as a superb declaration of a country’s war aims, Mr Winston Churchill from his new position has addressed the House of Commons simply but with tremendous driving force. “We have before us many long months of struggles and suffering,” he said, and he has nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. That is the spirit which animates the Empire’s new and great leader now . that the real war has come. It is just a question of who must win, w© or the Nazis, who would destroy the civilisation which Britain, Trance, the United States, and other countries have helped to build, and in its place raise the philosophy of rule of oppression and the destruction of those who oppose it, race superiority, expansionism, and above all paganism, driving Christian principles and religion underground, and making all subservient to the State alone. Czechoslovakia, Poland, Norway, Holland, Belgium, all cry aloud that these things must not be, or many others will go down in the welter of Nazism. And these others include foremost of all the British Empire and France. What is our policy ? Mr Churchill eloquently asked and answered just as eloquently: “It is to wage war, war by land, sea, and air, war with all our might, with all the strength that God lias given us—to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the lamentable catalogue of human prime.” And our aim is victory —“victory at all costs, victory in spite of all perils, victory however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for.” Tlyit is the noble task the new British Cabinet has taken up, for which men strong in spiritual faith will go forth to battle against tremendous odds, and if needs be die that humanity may know once again just what decent civilisation means.

The House cheered Mr Churchill. These are simple words, but they illustrate the temper of the nation. And the Commons gave him a vote of confidence marred by no adverse vote, for two puny Independent Labourites who could not support the motion had to act as tellers and so could not record their view. There is a great and wonderful lesson in this memorable scene for New Zealand, and other parts of the Empire. "We m this country have hardly felt the impact of this tremendous war; yet it is time w r e did. Our soldiers are away overseas and none knows when they will enter the fray. They must be supported by steady reinforcements and the Government is satisfied with a position that disturbs men of serious mien. Throughout the country there should be a united en-

deavour to win victory, but the Minister of Finance declares that there is no need for the Opposition to join the Government. Others more experienced in statesmanship hold an opposite view. There is to be no economy in government to speak of, but more and more taxation, so that men can be kept on extravagant public works of all kinds and social security shall not be impaired; yet all the time men are wanted for farm work and production is falling. It is time to face all the realities of the situation; put the war effort for victory first and foremost of our aims, just as Mr Churchill did. “The hour has come for the most decisive struggle of the German people,” said Hitler in liis message to his troops. No less is that true of our cause, and whatever we have done in this country so far to help Britain and France, it is not enough. The Government owes a lead to the people in this matter.