POLES UNITED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 May 1943, Page 4

POLES UNITED

IN STRUGGLE AGAINST AGGRESSORS

MR CHURCHILL’S MESSAGE ON NATIONAL DAY.

CONFIDENCE IN RESTORATION

OF FREE NATION

(Bv Teleeranh —Press Association Copyright) LONDON, May 2.

“The Poles at home and abroad are one in their determination to continue the struggle against the German oppressors. The valuable contribution which they have made to the common cause of the United Nations has not yet been achieved without heavy sacrifices. These sacrifices will be crowned by the restoration of a great and independent Poland.” This was a message, which was sent by the Prime Minister, Mr Churchill, to a meeting held in London in celebration of the Polish national day, Mr Churchill added: "I send you greetings from the British Government and the British people. We celebrate this anniversary in renewed confidence that Poland’s liberation has been brought nearer by the last year's joint efforts of the United Nations.”

Speaking on behalf of the British War Cabinet, the Lord President of the Council, Sir John Anderson, said: “The Poles, who are looking for their leadership to General Sikorski, and for their ultimate liberation to the United Nations, have maintained unshaken faith in victory. From the Luftwaffe’s wanton destruction of their cities and villages in 1939 to the brutalities of the present day, the Poles' resistance to the Germans and their loyalty to Poland have never wavered. From their sacrifices a new Poland will be born. Not from individual striving, but from the joint struggle of the United Nations will redemption come. “The Germans know it. Despairing of military victory, they now see a last desperate hope in attempts to disturb the harmony of the formidable coalition which is inexorably closing in on them. Such manoeuvres cannot be allowed to succeed. We must all look not to the past but to the future. Friends who are marching abreast must not fall out while the enemy is ravening nearby.

“The United Nations should not need to be reminded that in unity lies their strength, and that strength is the surest guarantee that Poland’s greatness and prosperity shall be restored. That day is not far distant, and then the Poles will again celebrate their national day in a Free Poland.” Sir John Anderson described General Sikorski, the Polish Prime Minister, as a brave soldier, a wise leader, and a trusted friend. He added that the Polish exiles had raised more than 100,000 soldiers, 12,00 airmen and 3000 seamen.

NEW ZEALAND GOOD WISHES. The following message has been sent by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, to the Polish Consul-General for New Zealand, Count W. A. Wodzicki: —“I desire on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand to offer a most cordial message of greetings and goodwill on the commemoration of Polish National Day. To the Polish nation, as to all other defenders of freedom and justice, there can be only one form of celebration today—the reaffirmation of their unconquerable resolve to fight on in unity of hearts and minds till tyranny and wanton aggression have been overcome and banished for all time.”

Mr Fraser has received the following telegram from Mr M. Borrin, president of the Association of Poles: —“On Inis, the anniversary of our national day, I wish, on behalf of. the Association of Poles in New Zealand, to assure you and the people of New Zealand of our loyalty and determination to take the fullest part in the war effort of this country, and to stand side by side with the British Commonwealth and her allies in the sacred fight against the forces of evil.”

A special mass for the Polish people was celebrated at St. Mary of the Angels’ Church, Wellington, on Monday morning.