GIFTS FOR LONDON

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 246, 14 September 1940, Page 8

GIFTS FOR LONDON

PATRIOTIC APPEAL.

ALL ONE CAMPAIGN

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. Mr Hayden, secretary ot tne National Patriotic Board, explains that a proportion of the £IOU,GOO for the relief of London distress is to bo found by the provincial patriotic councils. Concurrently with the intensification of the bombing of London, tlie patriotic councils had completed arrangements for the launching of a Dominion campaign for funds tor all patriotic purposes, including rehabilitation, for all branches of the Armed Forces, the provision of relief for them and t'heir dependants, and also comforts and' other needs. The objective of £1,000,000 had been fixed and October 14 had been nominated as the starting date of this campaign. In view of the decision to make New Zealand’s gesture to the people of London an immediate one, and to allow of allocations by the provincial patriotic councils to tile sum being sent to London to be recouped, the provincial campaign virtually started to-day. The public, therefore', in contributing to the provincial funds, will he giving to the outstanding objective among many worthy aims because the relief for the people of London is now automatically one of the responsibilities of the provincial funds.

INDOMITABLE SPIRIT.

COURAGE IN BRITAIN

PREMIER’S ADMIRATION

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Kept. 13

Admiration lor the spirit of the British people and their indomitable courage during the present bombing raids on London and other English towns and cities was expressed by the Prime Minister (lit. Hon. P. Fraser) in an interview to-night. He expressed the sympathy of the New Zealand Government and that of the citizens of the Dominion with the relatives of the killed, injured end homeless. New Zealand shared the world-wide sorrow and regret at the fate that had overtaken so many thousands of people of London, particularly in the working class areas of that great city. “One must feel the highest admiration for the spirit of the people of London and of the United Kingdom as a whole,” said Mr Fraser. “1 have personally received cables, from friends in the areas bombed and in them the predominent note was expressed in terms of ‘thumbs up’ and ‘smiling through.’ Similar evidence is available from all parts of Great Britain. “The British spirit found eloquent expression in the forcible and moving address of Mr Churchill. Every glowing word breathed the spirit and indomitable courage of thq British people and the fixed determination of the British Commonwealth. “Rt. Hon. Arthur Greenwood, in a broadcast from the British Broadcasting Corporation to-day, also expressed in striking and graphic fashion the soul of Great Britain. They both spoke for the millions of people in the British Isles, while Dorothy Thompson (the noted American correspondent) also to-dav in a most impressive way has voiced the sentiments of the overwhelming majority of the American people. “While New Zealand’s sympathy with the victims of these bombing outrages is deep and sincere, the barbarous attacks on them strengthens the resolve of the people of this Dominion to put forward even greater efforts if possible side by side with the Mother Country and other members of the British Commonwealth in the fight against the evil thing’called Nazism, and to carry on that struggle to final victory.” NEW ZEALAND HOUSE.

Mr Fraser said members of the Government and all former colleagues 1 in Parliament of the High Commissioner lor New Zealand in London (Mr AA . J.. Jordan) were relieved to learn that there were no casualties at New Zealand House and the conduct of members of the staff through the trying time had been most praiseworthy. The following cable message was received by Mr Fraser to-day from Mr Jordan: “I have to Inform you that a delayed-action bomb fell close to the vicinity of the office. All the adjoining premises were closed by the police as unsafe to enter until it had exploded. I have made temporary arrangements elsewhere for urgent business affairs. The action and spirit of the staff are excellent.”