BRITAIN'S FIRMNESS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20914, 20 September 1939, Page 8

BRITAIN'S FIRMNESS

WILL CONTINUE THE WAR FULFILMENT OF PLEDGES LIBERATION OF POLAND (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 20, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 19 A formal announcement by the Government of its unchanged purpose in the face of the events of the past three days has met with whole-hearted approval in all sections of the public. “Nothing that has occurred,” says the official statement as reported last night,” can make any difference to the determination of the Government, with the full support of the country, to fulfil its obligations to Poland and to prosecute the war with all energy until the objectives have been achieved. “In pursuit of these cardinal war aims,” says the Times, “the foremost place will be given to the liberation of Poland, which lies under the heel of her two invaders, having first won immortal glory. “The strategic advantage represented by the overthrow of Poland by a Power pledged to friendly relations with her is one of which the aggressor cannot be deprived, but it is an advantage that withers away as the opposition gathers strength. “Geography has made it quite impossible for the Governments of Britain and France to prevent the overrunning of Poland, just as the advantage gained for Germany by a breach of faith made it impossible to prevent the overrunning of Belgium 25 years ago. As the wheel revolved then, by the same massive process will it come to the full circle again. “All the incomparable resources of the British Empire are behind the impregnable guard. Sea and air power are being mobilised to build up an engine of war beyond the Power of Nazi might to overthrow. “It is a slower process than a smashing onslaught or premediated aggression, but it is much quicker than in 1914, when it broke and hurled back a force of aggression no less swift and devastating in its first attack. Determination of Franco With the same steady resolution France has steeled herself for a sustained effort. the armies and the navies of Britain and France something more irresistible than arms is arrayed on the same side. The great tide" of the conscience of humanity flows already against the breakers of treaties and the murderers ol’ the unarmed.” Heroism of Poland The Daily Telegraph, in a leading article, says:— “Poland’s heroism has cost her almost everything, but, like Belgium in 1914, she has saved her soul and history proclaims that the spirit of Poland is inextinguishable. When Mr A. Greenwood, leader of the Labour Party in the House of Commons, yesterday protested that the British Labour movement will not turn its back on the Polish people he spoke not for British Labour alone but for the whole of the BriLish nation.”

IN AUSTRALIA COMPULSORY TRAINING AS SOON AS FEASIBLE SALE OF SURPLUS SUGAR (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 20, 1 p.m.) CANBERRA, Sept. 20 The Prime Minister, Mr Mcnzies, in the House of Representatives, replying to Mr A. G. Cameron, leader of the Country Party, said the Government would introduce compulsory military training as soon as it became feasible. The balance of Australia’s surplus production of raw sugar will be sold to Britain by the Queensland Government, through the British Sugar Control Board. The arrangement completed for the sale involves 290,000 tons of raw sugar and the net return will be about £lO per ton f.o.b. at the mills.