SOLID SUPPORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 September 1941, Page 7

SOLID SUPPORT

PLEDGED TO THE PEOPLE OF BRITAIN MESSAGE FROM AMERICAN ORGANISATION. MR ERNEST BEVIN'S REPLY. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 1. A pledge to “British workers, aviators, sailors, soldiers, volunteers, civilians, and the heroic British people” of solid support and of determination for the destruction of Hitlerism and the laying of a basis for a happier world was contained in a message received by the Minister of Labour and National Service, Mr Ernest Bevin, from the Labour Division of the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies. The message said: “American labour, realising that a Hitler victory means the destruction of European free trade and union labour and also would be the gravest menace to the American labour movement, is increasing production at a tremendous rate so that ■ Britain and her associates will have aeroplanes, tanks, machine-guns, and the food materials necessary for victory.” It concludes: “We salute you, with the memorable words of the Declaration of Independence: We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honour.’ ” Replying in a message of thanks. Mr Bevin emphasised the part played by British labour in the creation of great national units to resist Nazi and Fascist aggression. It had proved a triumph for democracy and demonstrated that one could achieve effective I production and strong defence and yet ] retain the rights of free association and preserve the great trade union organisations intact. “We regard the retention of this liberty as against regimentation and imposition of slavery enforced by Nazi and Fascist dictators as essential for the future liberty of mankind,” Mr Bevin added. “With your help we are determined to win it back for those who have lost it and preserve if for others throughout the world. We have demonstrated our willingness to fight' and die for the soul, of mankind, and we shall carry the struggle on to the '■ bitter end.” WAR TASK DEFINED. In a broadcast to the United States following this reply, Mr Bevin said: “We, as you know, have been resisting a brutal military machine for two years. The Nazis have been plotting to get us down for years and at the same time pretending that all they wanted was peace. I don’t need to tell you how long it takes to manufacture the colossal number of war machines Germany has used and is using in this war. “British labour is fully conscious of the issues involved, and we have set about the task, together with your i help, of beating Hitler on the produc- - tion field. The acceptance of responl sibility through better industrial relaj lions has resulted in disputes being at I their lowest and now, while I am [ speaking to you, there is not a dis- , pute worth mentioning in Britain. f “You have had enough evidence of i our determination to stick it out. i Thousands of our people have had - scarcely a night in their beds for 5 months. They are just ordinary folk i who desire nothing better than to live -in peace with others. Labour’s aims r are similar the world over. I “Not only the British Common- . wealth and our Allies are involved in this war. You are making planes and . munitions to rescue the peoples in conquered countries from the clutches of . the tyrant and prevent him from . spreading his power over you as well. ; "I put this challenge to my fellow i workers in the United States not to . let us fight this battle alone,” Mr . Bevin concluded. “You know in your hearts that your future also depends . upon overwhelming supplies of all [ forms of war material. Surely the ; working people will not allow any dis- ’ unity in their own ranks to hinder the [ final, victory over this monster who- . would, destroy them. I have enduring faith in your willingness to share the > risks and participate in the glory of what I believe will be the final triumph of democracy in the world."