GIFT FROM HOLLAND

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1940, Page 7

GIFT FROM HOLLAND

WARPLANES FOR BRITAIN

Rugby, Sept. 12. Queen Wilhelmina and her Ministers are already doing everything possible to begin immediately, as soon as the moment comes, the revictualling of the Netherlands with foodstuffs. as well as raw materials. for the economic restoration of the country. "We fully appreciate," said Queen Wilhelmina, broadcasting, "that notwithstanding our considerable merchant navy It will not be possible to give everybody immediately what he wants but we trust the Dutch solidity of plan will guarantee a sleady mountlng flow." Expressing her heartfelt thanks for ihe countless expressions of congratulation, affection anc. sympathy received on the occasion of her 60th birthday, Queen Wilhelmina said the commemoration had developed into an overwhelming demonstration for the restoration of the independence of the Netherlands and ihe re-union in undisturbed freedom within the framework of the Dutch State of the Dutch community of 70,000,000 citizens. This was an historical fact of lasting significance. Vilality of People. "A people which has vitality and strong will cannot be subjugated merely by force of arms," she said. "As a united people we will endure this trial. New proof of this can be found in the sponl.aneous generosity of the Netherlands East Indies for the Queen Wilhelmina fund, which has been put by for disposal. The patriotism of the donors and their strong will to win the war for the liberation of the Netherlands has given rise to their wish that part of the contributions of the total of 5,000,000 gilders shall be spent for military purposes in Ihe Allied struggle. "In conformity with the intcntion of Ihe donors I have informed the King of England that they plan to give a number of military aeroplanes through the medium of the Prince Bernhardt fund, in which fund this amount will be deposited. "The great demonstrations of unity and the will to Independence, together with such signs of national generosity and energy, cannot but lift us above the difflculties and sorrows of these days and enable us to look with confidence to the future which, under God's blessing, will give us all back a free and independenl country." The fund will be used to supply 40 Spitfires and 18 Lockheed-Hudson bombers to the R.A.F.