FAITH IN LEADERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 February 1942, Page 2

FAITH IN LEADERS

CHURCHILL & ROOSEVELT DECLARED BY MR HAMILTON. DENUNCIATION OF SQUEALERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Armchair critics of British leaders and their direction of the nation’s war policy were rebuked by Mr Hamilton. Minister in the War Cabinet, in an address last night. Mr Hamilton said his faith in the high competence of Mr Churchill and President Roosevelt, and in their fitness to continue in the guidance of our fortunes, was in no way shaken by the recent misfortunes that have overtaken us. "While the ship is fighting her way to port, let us trust the man on the bridge,” said Mr Hamilton. “When she shudders from a mighty blow, only a coward will chatter abuse at the captain. For the honest and constructive critic, let there be attention and respect; for the squealer, instant and stern rebuke —he deserves no more.”

“We have taken some bad blows,” Mr Hamilton said in concluding, “but they are not mortal. We have still abundant strength to fight on, and win. And don't forget that the enemy has taken some heavy knocks too. He isn’t in as good case as he was; he is strong, but not nearly as strong as he says he is. By sticking to him, we shall wear him down in the long run. “It is suicidal to waste our time and strength in seeking scapegoats. Only a few are free from blame, and those few are not busy casting stones at their fellows —they are busy working to win the war. Let us all do the same. However dark the sky, let us remember that we have passed through black patches before; courage and vision and. faith will, with God’s help, carry us to victory.”