MATERIAL AID

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21374, 19 March 1941, Page 4

MATERIAL AID

AMERICA THE ARSENAL DOMINION’S GRATITUDE (By Telegraplj.—special to Times) WELLINGTON, Wednesday “It would be fitting,” said the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, in a statement made on behalf of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, in the House of Representatives to-day, “if I took this opportunity of expressing on behalf of the members of this House and on behalf of the people of New Zealand our deepest appreciation of the action of the Government of the United States of America in passing the Lend-and-Lease Act. We of the British Commonwealth are profoundly grateful to President Roosevelt and the people of the United States whose determination to make their country the great arsenal of democracy was reaffirmed last Sunday in the President's inspiring address.

“Our friends, as well as our foes, cannot fail to see that this generous promise of vast and continuing material aid is a turning point in the war. The supporters of democracy throughout the whole world rejoice that those who are resisting aggression are to receive the active and resolute support of the greatest industrial power on earth. “Those who have been overwhelmed will take fresh heart, knowing that the day of deliverance is brought nearer; those who are fighting will be strengthened in their resolve to throw into the struggle every ounce of thc-ir energy, knowing as they now do that with the great and powerful United States standing firmly behind their effort their victory is assured. Once again the American people have resolved that freedom and democracy shall not perish from the earth.”

The statement was received with applause by both sides of the House.