NEW ZEALAND WAR EFFORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 June 1943, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND WAR EFFORT

MESSAGE FROM SIR S. CRIPPS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The following letter from Sir Stafford Cripps, British Minister of Aircraft Production, was handed to the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, by Lord Burghley on his arrival at Rongotai from Christchurch yesterday. As Mr Fraser was in the Ruatoria district during the week-end joining in the ceremony commemorating the bravery and courage of the late Lieutenant Ngarimu the first Maori soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross, this was the first occasion on which Lord Burghly and he met.

“I am sending one of the members of my council. Lord Burghley, M.P., to Australia with a Lancaster bomber and I hope very much that he will have the opportunity of showing it in New Zealand as well. I wish very much that I could have come myself, but as that was impossible I have asked Lord Burghley to go for me. We all of us have the deepest admiration for New Zealand’s splendid contribution to the United war effort, not only in materials but in the courage and spirit of her fighting men. I send you my best wishes and my hearty congratulations upon that magnificent contribution. May victory ever follow the arms of New Zealand till the final peace is won."