BINDING TIES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21229, 27 September 1940, Page 9

BINDING TIES

BRITAIN AND AMERICA MOVEMENT INAUGURATED NEW ZEALAND SECTION (By TeifSTapli. — Press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday New Zealand's desire to nlav its part to the utmost in the BritishAmerican Co-oneration Movement, which has for its obiect the strengthening of mutual ties between the two great democracies and the promotion of a powerful Pacific pact that will assist toward maintaining world peace, was demonstrated at the inaugural luncheon held in Wellington today of the New Zealand section of the movement. The speakers were the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, and the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, Sir Harry Batterbee, both of whom laid stress on the extent to which the two democracies had already co-operated to build a common frontier against aggression and tyranny. Mr C. IT. Weston, president of the council of the New Zealand section of the movement, presided, and read a message from Brigadier-General H. E. Goddard, president of the Australian movement. Among those present were the Consul-General for the United States, Mr L. C. Pinkerton; the High Commissioner for Canada, Dr. Riddell; His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner, Mr R. Boulter; Mr J. L. Menzies. representing the Australian Trade Commissioner, and Mr Frank Jones, representing the District Governor of Rotary in New Zealand. Existing Friendship While the thought uppermost in their minds was the prosecution to the utmost of the war effort, thev were all deeply conscious of the i sympathy of the people of America for the Allied cause and of the great help being given to Britain, said Mr Fraser. The significance of the meeting that day had been most ably expressed to him by Mr Pinkerton. who had remarked that it represented rather the celebration of a friendship that already existed. Mr Fraser referred to the part of Americans in the early history of New Zealand and the building up of the commercial link, until today that was cemented in the Tasman-San Francisco air service. Perhaps no finer tribute of New Zealand's esteem of a great American was to be found ! than in the memorial at Auckland to Cantain E. C. Musick. “If there is any opportunity whatever of coming to an understanding which will make for peace and security for democratic nations, then there will be no hesitation.” said Mr Fraser amid applause. What had happened in the Atlantic—the transfer of 50 American destroyers on the one hand and the granting of bases for defence purposes on the other —was remarkable. It had granted America a new frontier against Nazi aggression, tyranny and domination. Moves in Pacific In the Pacific certain negotiations were proceeding. These moves had been tempered with wisdom and understanding. There was no suggestion of Britain handing over possessions. Coupled with this common understanding of the necessity for co-operating to thwart the menace of Nazi and Fascist dictators was also the deep sympathy throughout the United States in Britain’s struggle against the horrors of air warfare. The great Western democracy had not only helped with the output of her factories, but she and her economic life generally had readily welcomed British children. Any movement which had as its object the drawing closer together of the United States and the British Commonwealth of Nations in mutual ; sympathy and understanding must j have the support of all who desired to see a more peaceful and better world, said Sir Harry Batterbee. If Hitler had done anvthing good, it was awakening realisation between these two great democracies of the common aims, purposes and general philosophy of life which had been so ably expressed by President Lincoln —government of the people by the people for the people. The battle in which the British Commonwealth of Nations was engaged was an agelong struggle between the forces of freedom and tyranny, right and wrong. That battle had to be won and it would not be won without a tremendous effort. Great Moral Support The Empire was grateful for the moral, spiritual and practical help given by the United States. In particular was it grateful for the moral support, for it was in the world of the spirit that the war would be won, and from nowhere had there come a greater and more encouraging appreciation of Britain’s unconquerable spirit, as exemplified by the withdrawal from Dunkirk, than from the United States. It was only on the baris of the closest co-opera-tion and understanding between these two great democracies that the agelong battle against the forces of tyranny and oppression could finally be won.