WILL NOT BE ALONE

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1940, Page 8

WILL NOT BE ALONE

By Telegraph—Press Association.

NEW ZEALAND IN ATTACK

Napier, Sept. 23. "We know we shall not lie left alone to withstand an attack if it comes to us here; whatever the difficulties, the countries of the British Empire will stand shoulder to shoulder," said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, when speaking at Napier. Mr. Fraser said the rightness of conscription to defend the country and its people could not be questioned. New Zealand now had its Home Guard, which could play an important part, women's organisations and territorials. Every citizen who realised the importance of the struggle could now find some place to do his share. "It is an all-in war in every way," the Prime Minister said. "All we hold dear is at stake. I know the spirit of New Zealand is the same as the spirit of Britain, and with such spirit I know we shall emerge completely triumphant." The Prime Minister hoped the conflict would not extend to these shores, but New Zealand must be ready in case it should. "We are modest, and often ask what can we, a small country with a small population, do," he said. "Yet, as in social legislation New Zealand has had an influence in the world out of all proportion to its size, so will it give an exr ample with its war cffort, whatever happens in the Pacific. Every effort is being strained to make us prepared for any eventuality." It was never intended, Mr. Fraser said, that the Second Echelon should go to England, but the uncertainty and dangers at that time of the possible entry of Italy into the war caused them to be diverted to Britain. Mr. Fraser expressed the cchviction that,' although the British people's proud and precious city, London, was being dev.astated, they would not bow down. "They will give every drop of blood, they will sell their lives dearly," he said, "but they will not betray our Commonwealth, nor indeed, betray mankind."