"MY DADDY IS THERE"

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1940, Page 6

"MY DADDY IS THERE"

LITTLE LONDONER'S VOICE Droning engines overhead, the whine of falling bombs, and the answering concatenation of anti-aircraft fire! London attacked, and defended against "the Nazi barbarians," was the subject of a highly dramatic national service broadcast from New Zealand radio stations last night. And over the air. bravely spoken, came the voice of Jean Fraser, aged «11 years, just arrived in New Zealand. "My home • is at Crystal Palace." she said, "and ^ I have left my daddy there. He is a radio operator on a merchant ship and I don't know whether he is at home or at sea. "I want to go back to London after the war because it is my home and my daddy is there, but I will be sorry ^ to leave this land where people are so kind to me." Mayors of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin recorded their admiration of the indomitable courage and fortitude of Londoners in the face of their great travail and proclaimed that the people of the Dominion counted it a privilege to make whatever sacrifice they could for the cause. Wellington's Association. Wellington, said Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, had special associations with London because it was there that the plans for the colonisation of the new land by the New Zealand Company were laid, from there the Toi-y, the first immigrant ship; sailed, and from there most of the early pioncers for the new city started on their lonir journey. In London, too, in St. Paul's Cathedral, was the tomb of the famous general and statesman after whom the capital city was named. Against a background of Big Ben's tolling of the hours voices described the rallying of the men and resources and thoughts of, Australia, Canada, India. Africa and New Zealand to defend the heritage of London, "the magic of whose spirit had been breathed by only a fortunate few among New Zealanders today." Founded in Roman times. the great metropolis that is London overcame many troubles to expand and prosper. Twentyfive years ago London was attacked from abroad for the first time in 1000 years. Again she was being attacked to-day. In 1666 she began to rise phoenix-like from the ashes after the blazing inferno had laid her wfiste. London can never die, can never surrender, she who lives forever enshrined in the hearts of Englishmen. London fights on!