“A STUPID WASTE”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24410, 23 September 1940, Page 7

“A STUPID WASTE”

HAPHAZARD BOMBING CONTRAST TO R.A.F. METHODS THE INSPIRATION OF COURAGE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 21. (Received Sept. 22, at 9 p.m.) The military uselessness of haphazard bombing is emphasised by the Minister of Economic Warfare, Mr H, Dalton, to-day. Speaking to his constituents at Bishop Auckland, Mr Dalton said. " The indiscriminate bombing of the civilian population will never win the war. On the contrary, from the military point of view, it is a stupid waste of good bombs. While Hitler is destroying workers' homes, children's hospitals, drapers' stores, co-operative stores, and public buildings, the R.A.F. is concentrating on hitting the invasion ports, barges, aircraft factories and oil plants He is only increasing our will to fight on til] a decisive victory has been won. " The R.A.F. bomb particular objectives in Germany such as synthetic oil plants, oil refineries, and our airmen never fail to respond magnificently. The spirit of our people is wonderful, their courage and indifference to danger is a continual inspiration. When victory comes and the enemv's power has been utterly broken, many old ideas and old prejudices wjll also have been bombed and burnt away. Those who survived must bring a new world order and bring social justice to this island. Before these things can be we must win the war."