HIGH ADMIRATION FOR SPIRIT

Southland Times, Issue 24231, 14 September 1940, Page 4

HIGH ADMIRATION FOR SPIRIT

COURAGE OF BRITISH PEOPLE TRIBUTE PAID BY PRIME MINISTER (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 13. Admiration for 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 (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) in an interview tonight. He expressed the sympathy of the New Zealand Govern-’ ment and that of the citizens of the Dominion with relations of the killed, injured and homeless. New Zealand shared the world-wide sorrow and regret at the fate that had overtaken so many thousands of the 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. “I have personally received cables from friends in the areas bombed and in them the predominant note was expressed in the terms ‘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 the British Prime Minister (Mr Winston Churchill), which was broadcast in New Zealand yesterday morning,” said Mr Fraser. “Every glowing word breathed the spirit and indomitable courage of the British people and the fixed determination of the British commonwealth. “Mr Arthur Greenwood, in a broadcast from the British Broadcasting Corporation today 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 also today in the most impressive way has voiced the sentiments of an overwhelming majority of American people. N.Z. SYMPATHY WITH VICTIMS “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,” Mr Fraser said. Members of the Government and all the former colleagues in Parliament of the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London (Mr W. 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 today from Mr Jordan:

“I have to inform you that a delayedaction bomb fell close to the office. All adjoining premises were closed by the police as unsafe to enter until it exploded. I have made temporary arrangements elsewhere for urgent business affairs. The action and spirit of the staff is excellent.”