DOMINIONS’ AID

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 December 1939, Page 5

DOMINIONS’ AID

UNITY OF THE EMPIRE GERMANY'S FALSE ASSUMPTIONS. WRITING ON THE WALL. The arrival of the Australian airmen in England, following closely on the arrival of the first Canadian contingent, is featured in both the British and French Press. “The Times'’ says that this underlines as nothing else could, the warning given by Mr Menzies to Germany that the British family of nations was still one people and that the winning of the war was as much the business of Australia, New Zealand and Canada as it was for Great Britain. "To those in Germany who have not allowed themselves to be completely hypnotized by Dr. Goebbels, the news that overseas troops are already in Europe must seem the writing on the wall,” says the paper. Germany has gambled on two false assumptions—that the two great democracies were too decadent and spiritless to defend themselves, and that the British Empire was in an advanced state of disintegration and would fall to pieces when called on for some effort and sacrifice. "The Times” points out that Dominion airmen were already playing a gallant part over the North Sea and in France. The “Daily Telegraph” says it would be difficult to exaggerate the reinforcement to Britain’s war potential in the air, which is implied by the wholehearted co-operation of the Dominions. The “Manchester Guardian” remarks that the great traditions already established by Australians in the air should enable her to establish her own air force, which will never lack skilled men. The “Daily Mail’ says the arrival of the Dominion contingents is the best Christmas present Britain could receive. The ‘News Chronicle” says that the Australians will play a big paiT in bringing victory to the Allied cause. In France the arrival of the Aus■tralians is also featured. /“Le Jour” says that their presence in England adds significance to the King's words. Such unity of aim and effort have never been seen in the world before.

Other papers give testimony to the valour of Australian soldiers who gave their lives in the Great War. —By radio.