The Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1940. Help London !

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 217, 13 September 1940, Page 6

The Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1940. Help London !

All the world is watching the Battle of London, one of the most terrible and yet one of the grandest spectacles in the long and varied history of civilised man—terrible in its revelation of human ferocity in the attacker; grand in its revelation of invincible courage in the defender. All the world execrates the cold-blooded savagery of Nazism, and all the world pays homage to the steadfast endurance and heroism of the people of the world’s greatest city. Already in some quarters—outside the Empire as well as inside —this admiration has taken a practical turn. The American Red Cross has placed its great financial resources at the disposal of the authorities to provide sustenance and medical supplies for the innocent sufferers of Hitler’s baffled lust for power, -while the cities of Australia have started funds for the relief of the thousands who will be rendered homeless and penniless by this barbarous attempt to break a free people’s spirit. Surely no better way could be found to show the Empire’s admiration and gratitude than by following the lead set by Australia. London is lighting the Empire’s battle. If London fails the Empire is doomed. London will not fail, but in the process of standing firm under the shock of Hitler’s Blitzkreig many thousands will lose their homes and their livelihood, and many thousands more may be widowed or orphaned. Are the heroic citizens of the Empire’s heart and centre to bear this burden alone? Of all the partners in the Commonwealth of Nations New Zealand has most cause to be grateful to London for its magnificent stand against the aggressor. Here as yet we have hardly been touched by the scorching flame of war. Life flows placidly on. Neither work nor play has been more than a little disturbed. Only the surface of our national life has been ruffled. Nor will the great majority of our people be called upon to make more than a comparatively light financial sacrifice to help those who are standing between us and serfdom—or worse. Is New Zealand to stand aside while other partners in the Empire show practical proof of their sympathy and admiration for stricken London? We have—to a limited degree, it is true —been allowed to express in a tangible way our appreciation of the magnificent service rendered by the E.A.F. to the imperial cause. But London’s need is of a different—a more urgent—kind. Here financial help will serve a twofold purpose. It will relieve distress, and will help to steel the resolution of the city’s defenders with the knowledge that the Empire is behind them wholeheartedly, following every move to stave off the cruel and dastardly blows of the enemy and ready and willing to give every assistance possible both during and after the struggle. The Govei'nment for reasons of its own saw lit to place a limit on the generosity of the people in the fighter plane appeal, but it could hardly prevent, citizens of this land from giving practical expression to their desire to help homeless and stricken Londoners. New Zealand must not lag behind Australia in giving expression to its pride in the glorious achievements and willing sacrifice of the defenders of the cause of freedom.

King's Birthday on November 25 The King’s Birthday this year will be observed on November 25 according t.O the King’s Birthday Emergency Regulations, 1940, Amendment No. 1 which were published with last night’s Gazette. The regulations also provide that it be observed as a Saturday holiday.

All Types or T.B. Notifiable ! All types of tuberculosis come under the list of notifiable diseases as from ' October 1 this year. The necessaryprovisions in this connection are made . in the Notifiable Diseases Order, 1940, . gazetted last night. Hitherto only the . pulmonary type of tuberculosis has been notifiable, but under the new order this is extended to include rill types of the disease.