‘EVERYTHING WE HAVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 February 1941, Page 6

‘EVERYTHING WE HAVE

PLEDGED TO BRITAIN BY AIR MENZIES

SUPPORT FROM WHOLE EMPIRE OVERSEAS,

MOTHERLAND NOT FIGHTING

ALONE.

(British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) RUGBY. February 23. An impression of the united Empire behind Britain's war effort is gained from a broadcast today by the Australian Prime Minister (Mr R. G. Menzies). "You must never even be tempted," he said, "to think that your fight is a lonely one. - I am sure that not only for Australia, but for the whole British Empire beyond the seas. I may say to yott that we are in this most holy war with you. Everything we have, of manpower or treasure, of skill, of determination. is pledged to work and light for you and with you until victory is attained and a better and juster day dawns for the world in which our children are to live. This is supported by every deed of which we arc capable.

"The total population of Australia is considerably less than the population; of London.” Mr Menzies added, “but! the Australian Imperia! Force is al-j ready an army corps of four divisions! and corps troops with thousand ofj personnel which have already made i their blows. I have visited in the Mediterranean the shops of the Royal Australian Navy, which from the day war broke out have co-operated with yours in the seven seas and have by their skill and fighting qualities not subtracted from the glories of the Royal Navy. I have seen the Empire Air Training Scheme grow in power until it has brought into training, not hundreds but thousands of young Australians. who are entering the air war with their brothers in Britain and the Dominions and are destined to see the British empire just Mistress of the Air. as she has been these many generations the sure protector of the seas. Add to these things our munitions effort, which already produces twenty times our volume of production when the war began, and you will see that Australia's messenger brings no empty ■ words."