NO PANIC

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21212, 7 September 1940, Page 12

NO PANIC

CALM IN AID RAIDS NEW FELLOW-FEELING WARTIME LIFE IN BRITAIN (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Friday Believing that there may still be some New Zealanders who are deceived by Nazi propagandist reports of conditions in Britain, an English business man has written the following letter to a Wellington friend:— “Judging from letters I have received from overseas friends during the past few weeks, there would appear to be some entirely wrong impression as to the actual state of affairs existing here in England. This is due undoubtedly to the poisonous perversions, to the deliberate lies, broadcast by the German-con-trolled radio, and I shall be glad if you will do what you can to counteract the harmful misapprehensions which have resulted.

“A glaring example of German lies is emphasised in respect of the British Navy. Although it is today actually stronger than it was in September, 1939, the German reports indicate they have destroyed more ships than we ever possessed, and still the German Navy—or what remains of it—skulks in its harbours, or takes an airing occasionally in the mine-protected Cattegat or Skagerrak waters. As Matter of Course “Anyway, I can give you my personal assurance that so far, we in England are not called upon to face any ‘terrible ordeal,’ as a dear South African friend of mine, expressing sympathy and offering his hospitality, described it in a letter I have just opened. We certainly have had a few air-raid alarms, and there have been many such in other less fortunately situated parts of England and Scotland, but there is no panic among the population. Everybody is taking things as a matter of course, and they follow instructions providing for individual safety. “So far, also, no damage of material importance has been done by German bombs. The aircraft defences, guns and barrage balloons, have been effective, and the good work done by the boys of the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm must have had a demoralising effect on the enemy's opposite numbers. I cannot imagine that they will be •tossing up’ who is to be included in the next raid on England! Compare the keenness of our fellows to raid enemy objectives. Adequate Food “There is no starvation or hunger here, either. We have quite enough food rationed to keep us all in good health and spirits, and the rich get

the same as the poor. No one complains, in fact there is greater kindliness, less selfishness and more obvious fellow-feeling shown everywhere today than ever before—you know that attitude: ‘We are all in the same boat—let us do all we can to help each other in every way!’ “Manufacturers throughout the land are working at maximum capacity, and the operatives must be given full marks for their untiring labour—seven days a week and no holidays is an example of their contribution to support the fighting forces. For the past month or so there has been an intensive munition drive, and all efforts have been exerted to make up the wastage in France."