MUTUAL TIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24414, 27 September 1940, Page 8

MUTUAL TIES

BRITAIN AND AMERICA CO-OPERATION MOVEMENT NEW ZEALAND SECTION AN INAUGURAL FUNCTION (Per United Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 26. New Zealand's desire to play its part to the utmost in the British-American Co-operation Movement, which has for its object the strengthening of the mutual ties between the two great democracies and the promotion of a powerful Pacific pact that will assist towards the maintaining of world peace, was clearly demonstrated at the inaugural luncheon held in Wellington to-day of the New Zealand section of the movement. The speakers were the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) and the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom -(Sir Harry Batterbee), both of whom laid stress on the extent to which the two democracies had already co-operated to build a common frontier against aggression and tyranny Colonel C. H. Weston, president of the council of the New Zealand section of the movement, presided and read the following message from Brigadiergeneral H. E. Goddard. C.M.G., D. 5.0., V.D., president of the Australian movement: — "The British and American Cooperation Movement in Australia sends heartiest congratulations on the auspicious inauguration of the movement in New Zealand. The work here is showing tangible results and is gaining daily support. Your effort will help considerably towards maintaining the status quo in the Pacific, this being the expressed policy of the United States and the Empire You have set your hands to a great work for the future of the freedomloving people of the world. Practical co-operation between the Eng-lish-speaking peoples is the surest foundation and hope for civilisation; Among those present were the Con-sul-general for the United States. Mr L. C. Pinkerton; the High Commissioner for Canada. Dr Riddell; His Majesty's Trade Commissioner, Mr R. Boulter C.M.G., Mr J. L. Menzies, representing the Australian Trade Commissioner; Mr Frank Jones, representing the District Governor of Rotary in New Zealand; Mr C. W. Earle. C-M.G., Mr J: Parker, and Mr A. Glen, chairman of the English-speaking Union. Significance of Movement Colonel Weston paid a tribute to Mr Leigh Hunt, chairman of the executive of the New Zealand Council, through whose efforts the New Zealand section had been founded. While the thought uppermost in their minds was the prosecution to the utmost of the war effort, they were all deeply conscious of the sympathy of the people of America for the Allied cause and of the great help being given to Britain, Mr Fraser said. The significance of the meeting that day had been most ably expressed to him by the Consul-General for the United States. Mr Pinkerton, who had remarked that it represented rather a celebration of the friendship that already existed. That friendship was truly not of recent growth, but a bond that had prevailed of many years. Mr Fraser referred to the part of Americans in the early history of New Zealand and the building up of a commercial link that to-day was cemented in the trans-Tasman-San Francisco air service. Perhaps no finer tribute of New Zealand's esteem of a great American was to be found than in the memorial at Auckland to Captain Musick. Pacific Negotiations "If there is any opportunity whatever of coming to. an understanding which will make for peace and security for the democratic nations then there will be no hesitation," said Mr Fraser, amid applause. What had happened in the Atlantic—the transfer of 50 American destroyers on the one hand and the granting of bases for defence purposes on the other—was remarkable. It had granted America a new frontier against Nazi aggression, tyranny and domination. In the Pacific certain negotiations were proceeding. These moves had been tempered with wisdom and understanding. There was no suggestion of Britain handing over possessions.

Coupled with this common understanding of the necessity for co-oper-ating to thwart the menace of the Nazi and Fascist dictators, Mr. Fraser added, was also deep sympathy, throughout the United States in Britain's struggle against the horrors of air warfare. That great western democracy had not only helped ..with the output of her factories, but she and her economic life 'generally had readily welcomed British children. Thus, in almost every way, the ; two great democracies had shown their readiness to march side by side. Call for Tremendous Effort Any movement which had as its object the drawing closer together of the United States and the British Commonwealth of Nations in mutual sympathy and understanding must have the support of all who desired to see a more peaceful and better world, said Sir Harry Batterbee. If Hitler had done anything good, it was the awakening of a realisation between these two great democracies of their common aims, purposes, and general philosophy of life which had been so ably expressed by President Lincoln, "government of the people, by the people, for the people." The battle in which the British Commonwealth of .Nations was engaged was the age-long struggle between the forces of freedom and tyranny, right and wrong. That battle had to be won. and it would not be won without a tremendous effort. It would call for all the resources at the command of the Empire. It would call for every ounce of courage and determination for the mightiest effort the Empire had made. The Empire, Sir Harry said, was grateful for the' moral, spiritual, and practical help given by the United States. In particular was it grateful for the moral support, for it was in the world of the spirit that the war would be won, and from nowhere had there come greater and more encouraging appreciation of Britain's unconquerable spirit, as. exemplified by the withdrawal from Dunkirk than from the United States.

It was only on the basis of the closest co-operaticn and understanding between these two great democracies that the age-long, battle against the forces of tyranny and oppression could finally be won, said Sir Harry, conveying his best wishes U the New.' Zealand section of the movement.