DEBT ACKNOWLEDGED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 December 1940, Page 4

DEBT ACKNOWLEDGED

PRIME MINISTER’S TRIBUTE TO BRITISH NATION HEROISM OF CIVILIANS & FIGHTING FORCES. MESSAGE TO OUR SISTER DOMINIONS. (By Telegraph—-Press Association ) WELLINGTON, This Day. New Zealand’s admiration for the heroic British people is expressed in a message sent by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, to the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Mr Churchill. Seasonal greetings have also been cabled by -Mr Fraser to the Prime Ministers of the other British Dominions. Mr Fraser cabled Mr Churchill as follows: — “In extending the season’s greetings to you and your colleagues I would like to assure you of the boundless admiration with which we in New Zealand regard the heroic attitude of the British people and of our heartfelt sympathy for the sufferings and privations they are enduring with such characteristic fortitude. We are deeply conscious of our great debt to them and to the armed forces of the Commonwealth for their untiring efforts on r land and sea and in the air, and to the j men of the Mercantile Marine. We I have full confidence that the united forts of the British Commonwealth will result in victory and we will continue to do our utmost to contribute to the common task. This Christmas our hearts and our thoughts are with you all and we wish you every good fortune in the coming year.” Mr Fraser has sent the following message to Prime Ministers of sisterDominions: —

“I extend to you and your colleagues sincere and cordial seasonal greetings. The British Commonwealth has surmounted a year of perils and we can, I feel, look forward with ever-growing confidence to a favourable turn of fortune and the attainment of a common victory which will ensure that return to sanity and ordered progress which our people so earnestly desire.” Mr W. L. Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, has replied as follows: — „ “My colleagues and I cordially reciprocate the kind greetings for the Christmas season and New Year conveyed in your message received today. We greatly rejoice in the closeness of association of all parts of the British Commonwealth at this time of world peril. We strongly share your hope and beliefs in the ultimate victory of our cause. Please accept my every good wish for yourself.”