FATE OF WORLD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 249, 18 September 1940, Page 8

FATE OF WORLD

STAKE IN CONFLICT

PREMIER’S VIEWS

Per Press Association

GISBORNE, Sept. 17

“When the Munich Pact was signed late in 1938 many of us thought that the Nazi leaders would accept appeasement and that we could turn our attention to peaceful objectives instead of living in constant fear of being plunged into war. We know »iow that the Nazis are never satisned, that they grew more ravenous with every new success gained, and that finally they determined to dominate the world by force,” said the Prime Minister (lit. Hon. P. Fraser), speaking to a large gathering which tendered him a civic welcome. “A lew months after the signing of the Munich Pact Germany marched over and crushed Czechoslovakia, and then turned upon Poland. Denmark and Norway next came under the JNazi heel, and then came the turn of Holland and Belgium, lhese States had been implored by Britain and France to invite the Allies to come lip to their frontiers with Germany, but they clung timidly to the policy of neutrality, hoping to appease the Nazis. But there was no appeasing the Terror any more, and these countries went down swiftly. Next France crumpled, and Britain was left standing alone against the enemy. Thus was the Battle of Britain commenced. “In this battle, not only the fate of the United Kingdom is at stake, but that of the world. In the grim fight now being waged in the skies over Britain and in the waters that surround the kingdom, our ideals, hopes and future arc being defended. 'J hough we are thousands of miles from that area where the bombs aro dropping day and night upon our own Uesh and blood, ive are involved as much as though wo were on the spot. “New Zealand is proud to stand beside Great Britain and other countries of the British Commonwealth and make her contribution toward a great and lasting victory for right and a crushing defeat for Nazism, Fascism, and every form of brutal and devastating tyranny,” declared Mr Fraser.