WAR EFFORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 April 1941, Page 6

WAR EFFORT

WORKERS’ FULL SUPPORT AUSTRALIAN VIEWS. PROVIDING IMPLEMENTS FOR DEFENCE OF FREEDOM. “Whatever differences of opinion may have emerged during the last world war, there is absolutely no doubt that the workers in Australia are convinced that, if the forces'of aggression were to succeed in this struggle, it would for them mean turning back the hands of time." In ; these words, Mr J. A. Beasley, member of the Federal House of Representatives, and one of Labour’s five representatives on the Australian Advisory War Council, summarised recently Australian Labour’s views of the war. Mr Beasley was formerly one of the most bitter opponents of the Government whose war eqort he now wholeheartedly. supports. A summary of Mr Beasley's recent address, released in New Zealand by the Assistant Australian Trade Commissioner (Mr J. L. Menzies), says:— “We in Australia are well aware of the brutal arrogance of tile leaders of the aggressor nations and their total disregard of the rights of free people, whom they so blatantly trample underfoot. Their doctrine of force and their barbaric methods of warfare have caused a revolt among all sections of people, and there is a unanimous voice in this country that, no matter what the cost, the Nazi creed must never be allowed to survive, let alone dominate civilisation. lr “In plain words, it is beyond humqA endurance, and therefore, •it must be crushed. Never before has this view been so loudly acclaimed in the mines, the factories, the workshops and the homes of the people throughout ‘ the length and breadth of our country. “Whatever reforms our present day society has failed to produce, we feel that, 'whatever final shape the New Order in the world will take, it must be" based upon freedom of thought, word and action and the right of every man to worship God in his way. “The Nazi creed is the very antithesis of these fundamental principles. Therefore, it is in the mind of every thoughtful worker in Australia that it must never be allowed to succeed.

“Every worker in Australia feels that this war will finally be won in the workshops. For that reason he is now engaged on the successful production of implements for war never before contemplated in the industrial history of our country. “Day by day this effort is expanding and we feel confident that, not only will we supply our own needs, but those also of a sister Dominion, as well as Allied friends, in the sphere allotted to our protection. “Our range of production covers the essential needs and. as our manpower and workshop technique daily develop, we are embarking upon such modern weapons as the war strategy of cur country and its neighbours can suitably apply. “My simple message, conveying tihe Australian workers’ outlook and effort is designed to reach the hearts and minds not only of those in Great Britain, but also the workers in all lands, those who are now by our side in this struggle and also those who are temporarily overrun by the tyranny of Nazism in occupied countries. We are in this war to right, the wrongs of / those who are being oppressed by thq iron heel of military despots. “To our neighbours close to our own) shores, who in some cases may not' speak our tongue, but who share the sentiments I have expressed. I would like you to know and feel that your safety and freedom are vital to u= all In a common cause we stand together, and to the fullest extent of our capacity we will forge the steel, so that you too will share with us those things which I believe wo jointly hope to build —the social structure for the peace and service of mankind.

“We have resources, we have the will and. determination, and we believe we cherish the sacred principles which all free people are striving to upheld. The time may be long and the journey fraught with many dangers, but as our cause stands so pre-emin-ently high in such a distorted world, it must one day prevail. “To bring the day nearer, we, in Australia, will slide new vessels down the slipways. Into the skies we will send new aircraft, and from the mines and workshops we will pour out the implements . for the defence of our freedom and your freedom and thus bring nearer the real fruits of Christian civilisation."