WAR OUTLOOK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 December 1940, Page 4

WAR OUTLOOK

REPLIES TO NEW ZEALAND GREETINGS FROM BRITISH PREMIER AND OTHERS. DECLARATIONS OF FIRM CONFIDENCE. (By' Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Britain’s resolve to seize every opportunity on all fronts, to pi ess on to victory is stressed by the British Prime Minister, Mr Winston Churchill, in his reply to the Christmas message sent to him by the Prime Minister of New Zeland, Mr Fraser. Mr Churchill’s reply states: —• Many thanks for your message. I warmly welcome your assurance that New Zealand will do her utmost. This we had never doubted, and the heroic exploits of her sailors, soldiers and airmen have more than justified our faith. We have indeed passed through dark days, but, heartened by unshaken faith and the generous aid of our friends and kinsmen overseas, the spirit of our people has never flagged. We can now look to the future with a keen eye. We have recently had a chance to show our mettle in the Middle East, where so many of New Zealand’s sons are eager to play their part. We shall seize every opportunity on all fronts to press on to victory with the same vigour. We face the coming year resolute and confident. OTHER MESSAGES. Further messages have been received from Empire statesmen by the Prime Minister, in reply to Mr Fraser’s Christmas greetings. They include the following:— The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Eden:— I much appreciate your good wishes, which I warmly reciprocate. The New Zealand forces of all three services have played a splendid part in the war effort and have contributed materially toward the recent victory in the Middle East, which augurs well for the New Year. The Prime Minister of South Africa, General Smuts: — My sincere good wishes for a happy New Year and for the success of the British Commonwealth in its grand effort in the defence of the principles on which it and civilisation could alone endure. The Lord Privy Seal and Leader of. the British Parliamentary Labour Party, Mr Attlee:— May 1941 see the downfall of Hitlerism, and the dawn of a new era of peace. On behalf of British Labour. I send all good wishes. ,Jhe Secretary of State for the Dominions, Viscount Cranborne:— We, too, look forward to the coming year with confidence. We are heartened by the magnificent efforts of New Zealanders by land, air and sea. The Deputy-Leader of the British Parliamentary Labour Party and member of the War Cabinet, Mr Greenwood: — I have followed with deep admiration the New Zealanders’ splendid cooperation in the common struggle for victory. I send fraternal good wishes to you and your colleagues. Mr Fraser has also had messages conveying seasonal greetings from Mr Forgan Smith, Premier of Queensland, and Dr Ellison. Deputy Resident of the Cook Islands.