VITAL TIME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 April 1941, Page 4

VITAL TIME

IN DEFENCE OF BRITAIN NOW UNTIL JULY — MR BEVIN ON HOLDING THE FORT.. ’ ASCENDANCY IN SIGHT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 19. “The vital moment in Britain’s history is from now till next July,” said the Minister of Labour, Mr Bevin, speaking at Birmingham. Last year saw air attacks, but now it was mechanical warfare in all its phases, tanks, mechanised divisions, guns and more guns. “It is more serious now,” Mr Bevin said. “We have got to hold the fort for the next four months and then the ascendancy month by month afterward is ours.” Mr Bevin issued a warning that the invasion danger was still present, suggesting that in the event of invasion the best place for the workpeople was in the factories, where they would best submit to disciplinary control. He also urged that the personnel should be arranged to maintain sevenday production, but did not for one moment suggest that the personnel should be arranged to maintain a seven-day week with the loss of Sunday as a day of rest. Regarding night bombers, Mr Bevin ’ said: “The defence against air attack is not yet fully developed. It is on the way and is growing every day. I venture to suggest that there is a reasonable chance that we shall have the mastery of the night attack before next winter. I place it no higher.”