SOLID NATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 July 1940, Page 6

SOLID NATION

MR CHAMBERLAIN ON BRITISH RESOLUTION READINESS TO REPEL INVASION ATTEMPT THAT MAY COME AT ANY MOMENT. REASONS FOR CONFIDENCE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Dav. 11.40 a.m.) RUGBY. June 30. The Lord President of the Council (Mr N. Chamberlain), broadcasting, emphasised that the War Cabinet was working together in complete harmony and agreement. We are a solid nation which would rather go down to ruin that admit Nazi domination,” he said, “We know the Nazis are now completing preparations for an attempt to invade Britain. This attempt may be launched at any moment, by sea and air, but the enemy is divided from us by a more formidable anti-tank obstacle than any he has yet encountered, namely the sea. “Our Navy.” Mr Chamberlain continued. “which is still growing, is vastly superior to Germany’s. Our Air Force is stronger in numbers today than it has been since the beginning of the war. and at the same time is superior in equipment, training and morale to that of the enemy. Then we have our land forces. There is a larger army in this country now than there has ever been during the whole history of the Army, of which a large part consists of seasoned troops who have met the enemy in battle and have felt their own superiority to him. Lastly we have that other great army of men and women who are putting their whole strength into the task of furnishing weapons or food, or devoting themselves to civil defence. One and all they are animated by the same fighting spirit, which will nevei' give in. “If the enemy does try to invade this country we will light him in the air. on the sea and on the beaches with every weapon we have. He may manage here and there to break through. If he does, we will fight him on every road, in every village, every house, until he or we are utterly destroyed. If he is driven to evacuate, as .we had to evacuate from France, there will be no friendly fleet waiting for him, but death and disaster.” Mr Chamberlain described the foregoing as material reasons why we should be able to beat the enemy. There was something even stronger on our side —we should be fighting for our own hearths and homes, with the conviction that our cause had the blessing of Almighty God. It would be a taint heart indeed that could doubt our success.”